28 May 2025

May 2025 news digest

We bring you all the latest IHE sector news and updates in one place, saving you time and keeping you informed. It’s a busy month, with plenty to unpack. Are you looking for key European-level updates, like the push toward a joint European degree, the new European Research Area policy agenda, or the EUA’s latest recommendations for Erasmus+? Maybe you’re interested in fresh data on international student enrolment trends and what Net Promoter Scores reveal about student satisfaction. Or perhaps you’re trying to make sense of the rapidly evolving challenges facing US higher education. Whatever your focus, we’ve got you covered!

Council sets out roadmap to joint European degree (Science Business)

EU education ministers have agreed to introduce a joint European degree label for students in qualifying joint programmes, aiming to pave the way for a new type of European degree. Member states also want the EU to evaluate the feasibility of a fully-fledged degree.

Council endorses the European research area policy agenda for the next three years (Council of the EU)

The Council has reached a political agreement to adopt the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda 2025–2027, which aims to strengthen Europe’s research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem.

Erasmus +: 17 recommendations of the EUA for the next programme (News Tank)

The EUA recommends that Erasmus+ be made a top EU priority in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Based on feedback from 500 higher education institutions, the report recommends the development of more effective digital tools and streamlined administrative processes, particularly in relation to the new lump sum approach.

How likely are students to recommend your institution? (ICEF Monitor)

The latest International Student Barometer (ISB) reveals that employability is an increasingly important factor in students’ choice of institution and programme, significantly impacting their satisfaction and likelihood to recommend their institution. The ISB scores institutions with Net Promoter Score (NPS).

Three of ‘Big Four’ see steep drop in postgrad enrolment (University World News)

A new study shows international postgraduate enrolments dropped sharply in the US, Canada and Australia during the first quarter of 2025, while Britain saw an 8% rise during the same period.

Horizon Europe 2025 work programme: €7.3 Bn allocated, prioritising talent attraction and retention (News Tank)

The European Commission has allocated €7.3 billion to its 2025 Horizon Europe work programme to strengthen research in Europe, with targeted support for researchers affected by war and displacement. Updates to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions 2023-25 work programme will offer more support for Ukrainian scientists as well as launch a new MSCA ‘Choose Europe for Science’ pilot.

Plans afoot to stimulate UK–EU student mobility under new terms (ICEF Monitor)

The UK government has initiated negotiations with the European Union to revive a youth mobility scheme between the UK and the EU. It has opened the door for the UK to rejoin the Erasmus+ under new terms.

Trump administration orders US embassies to stop student visa interviews (The Guardian)

The Trump administration has ordered US embassies worldwide to immediately stop scheduling visa interviews for international students as it prepares to implement comprehensive social media screening for all international applicants. The directive could severely delay visa processing and hurt universities that rely on international students for revenue.

 


 

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