Why European Universities matter - part 1
European Universities are transforming the landscape of higher education by fostering strategic international collaboration in education and research while advancing student mobility. In a four-part series, we explore how the alliances are promoting innovative educational offers and mobility formats. In this article, we focus on the involvement of the University of Zurich in Una Europa.
Focus: Educational and mobility formats for the future
European University alliances provide a platform for institutions to develop innovative mobility programmes, ranging from short-term exchanges to long-term academic experiences. By fostering collaboration and experimentation, they play a key role in shaping the future of learning and international cooperation. In this article, we explore how the University of Zurich’s participation in Una Europa is driving the development of international joint bachelor’s programmes and enhancing the global appeal of Swiss higher education.
More articles from the series
Discover UNIL in CIVIS
Article will be published soon
Discover ETH Zurich in ENHANCE
Article will be published soon
Discover UNBAS in EPICUR via EUCOR
Article will be published soon
Discover further Swiss Institutions in Erasmus+ «European Universities»
UZH in Una Europa
Since May 2022, the University of Zurich (UZH) has been part of the Una Europa Alliance, aiming to build partnerships with like-minded European research universities and broaden its presence in the European education and research landscape. The Una Europa University Alliance offers a platform for collaborative development of innovative teaching methods and an opportunity to rethink university education.
“We are proud to be the first Swiss university that joined a European University Alliance. Una Europa is one of the most successful and visible alliances, plus a very good match of our research focus areas. Through Una Europa, our students and staff collaborate with leading European universities to address the most pressing challenges of our time and thereby actively co-create a strong future Europe.”
International experience right from the start: joint Bachelor’s degree programmes
University alliances play a key role in fostering innovative and globally focused learning formats. With Una Europa, the UZH offers an international joint programme at the bachelor level for the first time. As of spring semester 2025, UZH joins the Una Europa Joint Bachelor of Arts in European Studies, which includes mandatory student mobility. In addition, a joint Bachelor’s degree programme in Sustainability is planned for fall semester 2025.
The advantages in this novel approach are that students receive the valuable opportunity to gain international experience and develop intercultural competencies right from the start. Interdisciplinarity will be an integral part of their early academic journey, laying strong foundations for their later studies.
The collaborative approach within the alliance enables the development of learning and teaching formats that incorporate a wide range of perspectives. By bringing together diverse perspectives and methods, the alliance gains a significant advantage in addressing today’s social challenges.
“With sustainability and European values, the two Joint BAs address central issues of our society. These topics can only be tackled through cooperation. And this is exactly what is achieved in the Joint Programs: students gain a multiple perspective on complex problems and interdisciplinary insight from researchers across Europe while building an international network. This education provides the best foundation for contributing to the solution of these societal challenges.”
Joint Bachelor’s Programme
Joint programmes are based on a curriculum collaboratively developed by two or more universities with jointly defined learning outcomes. While joint master's programmes are well-established, joint bachelor's programmes are still relatively uncommon within the European Education Area.
Una.Futura
Una.Futura is the joint project of the Una Europa Alliance, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme and the Swiss Programme for Erasmus+ (2022-2026). Una.Futura is an ambitious four-year project which will enable Una Europa to take the next steps towards its goal of developing an integrated European University of the Future.
Enhancing Swiss innovation and international attractiveness
The development of collaborative learning formats within the alliance provides a valuable opportunity to showcase the excellence of Swiss higher education on a global stage. Gabriele Siegert emphasizes that these new formats enhance Switzerland's international visibility by highlighting UZH's strengths, attracting collaborations, and drawing top global talent for doctoral studies, enriching the academic community and driving innovation.
In turn, Una Europa and its project Una.Futura play a crucial role in advancing UZH’s internationalisation:
“By integrating research and innovation, Una.Futura not only increases learning and mobility opportunities for students and young researchers but extends its impact much further. Actively participating in the Una Europa Alliance through the Una.Futura project represents a step-change in internationalising the university at all levels. It further implements a strong commitment to the European Higher Education and Research Area, which is crucial for maintaining the excellence of our university.”
