European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education EURASHE

Overview

The European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education (EURASHE) is an independent international non‑profit association (AISBL under Belgian law), based in Brussels. It represents higher education institutions with a strong focus on professional, practice‑based training and applied research, including universities of applied sciences, polytechnics, university colleges and national or sectoral associations across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and beyond. According to uniRank research, EURASHE collectively represents more than 550 applied higher education institutions and includes over 80 organisational members from more than 30 countries.

History and Legal Framework

Founded in 1990 during a conference in Patras, Greece, EURASHE began as a network of directors of business and applied‑science schools advocating for vocationally‑oriented tertiary education. Over time, membership opened to individual institutions and associations. The Association is legally established in Belgium as an Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif (AISBL), governed by statutes that were most recently ratified in April 2025. Its Secretariat is located at Ravensteingalerij 27/3, 1000 Brussels.

The AISBL status grants EURASHE full legal capacity under Belgian law, independent governance and eligibility for EU funding, while preserving limited liability and operational autonomy separate from national governments or academic hierarchies.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: To reinforce the relevance and impact of applied, professionally‑oriented higher education and associated user‑led research across Europe by representing its members and facilitating partnerships among education providers, employers and policymakers.

Vision: A European Higher Education Area where professional and applied sciences institutions enable social inclusion, regional innovation and the digital‑green transition through future‑oriented, employment‑driven learning.

• Strengthen recognition and accessibility of micro‑credentials, short‑cycle qualifications (EQF level 5) and industrial PhDs.
• Boost lifelong learning, employability and workforce readiness through structured work‑based learning and internships.
• Drive quality assurance tailored to the mission of professional higher education, aligning ESG with practice‑based learning.
• Shape European and national policy on funding, digitalisation, mobility and short‑cycle innovation tracks.
• Create sustainable platforms for cross‑border cooperation, peer learning and institutional exchange.
• Anchor professional higher education as a key pillar in the Green and Digital Agendas of the European Union.

These goals align with EURASHE’s Strategy 2023–2025, which emphasises an innovation‑ and outcome‑led agenda for professional applied education.

Governance, Structure and Independence

EURASHE is governed according to its Statutes and Bylaws, enabling full operational independence:

1. General Assembly: comprising all Full members (voting institutions and national associations), it elects the President, Vice‑Presidents, Treasurer and Board members; approves strategy, membership rules and the annual budget.
2. Board: the executive body of ten (President, two Vice‑Presidents, Treasurer and six members), elected every two years. It implements policies, manages finances, approves membership applications and coordinates task forces.
3. Committee for Strategic Advice (Council): includes Board members, national association representatives and co‑opted experts to provide policy foresight and sector guidance.

The Brussels‑based Secretariat, led by a Secretary‑General, oversees daily operations—including member services, communications and project management—without interference from academic hierarchies or political institutions.

Membership is offered in three categories: Full (voting), Associate and Affiliate, each requiring application and Board approval following eligibility checks.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

EURASHE does not grant formal accreditation of degree programmes. However, it plays a central role in advancing quality assurance in professional higher education:

• A core partner in initiatives such as PHExcel (Professional Higher Education Excellence, 2013‑2015), which developed a draft quality framework and tools tailored to professional higher education.
• Co‑coordinator of the ongoing QA‑FIT project (2022–2024), with ENQA and EUA, critically evaluating whether the ESG meet the emerging needs of applied and vocationally oriented HEIs.
• Operator of the Quality Assurance Community of Practice, supporting peer review, self‑evaluation and enhancement strategies among PHE institutions.
• Advocate for ESG adaptation and inclusive QA practices via membership in the E4 Group (ENQA, EUA, EURASHE, ESU) and participation in the Bologna Follow-Up Group’s QA task forces.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

EURASHE holds consultative membership in the Bologna Follow‑Up Group (BFUG), enabling direct involvement in EHEA strategy development and ministerial policy statements. Through the E4 Group, EURASHE contributes to the ongoing revision of the ESG.

It maintains strategic partnerships and collaborative roles with several European and global organisations, including:

• The European University Association (EUA)
• The International Association of Universities (IAU)
• The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA)
• ALL DIGITAL, Lifelong Learning Platform and others

EURASHE participates in and supports alliances under the European Universities Initiative, particularly those including applied universities, providing coordination, know‑how and institutional representation.

It organises and hosts pan‑European events—annual conferences, thematic workshops, Communities of Practice meetings and summer symposiums—that bridge institutions, employers and policymakers. In summer 2025, it launched EURASHE Connect, a digital networking environment facilitating ongoing cooperation among professionals and members.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

EURASHE exerts influence across multiple dimensions of European higher education:

• Policy influence: Regular contributions to EU expert groups and BFUG work, including position papers on micro‑credentials, industrial PhDs, digital skills and mobility schemes.
• Quality innovation: Championing QA approaches suited to the mission of professional HE, facilitating peer‑driven tools and quality cultures tailored to applied learning.
• Regional and economic impact: Promoting knowledge transfer, regional development, entrepreneurship and employability through applied universities embedded in local ecosystems.
• Professional development: Hosting continuing exchanges and capacity‑building forums via working groups, Communities of Practice, webinars and events.
• Future trajectory: Rising demand for short‑cycle credentials, upskilling and regional skills ecosystems positions EURASHE to grow as a thought‑leader and standard‑setter in European professional higher education.

Summary

EURASHE is the principal European association for professional and practice‑based higher education institutions, legally based as a Belgian AISBL and headquartered in Brussels. With more than 550 institutions represented and over 80 member organisations across more than 30 countries, the Association drives the evolution of applied sciences education through policy advocacy, quality assurance innovation, transnational networking and thought leadership. Its independent governance model, active role in EU‑funded projects like PHExcel and QA‑FIT, participation in the Bologna Follow‑Up Group and inclusive member platforms enable it to chart pathways for regional growth, lifelong learning, digitalisation and sustainability in higher education.

FAQs

What is EURASHE?
It is the European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education, a Brussels‑based non‑profit international association representing institutions focused on professional, practice‑based higher education and applied research.

Where is EURASHE located?
It is registered under Belgian law (AISBL) and operates from its Secretariat at Ravensteingalerij 27/3, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

How many institutions does EURASHE represent?
According to uniRank research and official data, EURASHE represents over 550 professionally‑oriented higher education institutions via more than 80 member organisations.

Who can become a member of EURASHE?
Any university of applied sciences, polytechnic, university college or national/sectoral association offering professionally‑oriented programmes may apply for Full, Associate or Affiliate membership; Board approval is required.

Does EURASHE offer accreditation?
No. While EURASHE does not accredit programmes, it plays a central role in shaping quality assurance models, aligning ESG with professional practice and supporting continuous quality improvement through peer communities and EU partnership projects.

What types of activities does EURASHE run?
The Association organises annual conferences, thematic workshops, Communities of Practice, webinars, policy dialogues and the EURASHE Connect platform, covering themes like skills, research, quality assurance and micro‑credentials.

Why is EURASHE important?
By giving voice to practice‑based education and institutions, EURASHE ensures that professional higher education is recognised in European policy, supports institutional quality enhancement, facilitates mobility and networks and advances applied learning aligned with future societal and labour trends.

Organization Name

European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education

Acronym

EURASHE

Year of Establishment

1/01/1990

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Ravensteingalerij 27/3
Bruxelles
1000 Brussels Belgium

Phone

+32 (2) 211 4197

Fax

+32 (2) 211 4199

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

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Instagram

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Wikipedia Article

European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education's Wikipedia article

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