We have published our 2026 policy brief on dual higher education. It sets out eight recommendations for building a stronger European framework; five for EU institutions, and three for national and regional authorities.
EU4Dual is an alliance of nine professional higher education institutions across nine EU countries. Together, we support over 74,000 students and work with more than 18,000 business partners. Since 2023, we have tested new models for dual higher education across Europe.
Dual higher education combines academic study with structured, credit-bearing workplace learning. It helps close the gap between what graduates learn and what employers need. Yet no shared European framework for dual higher education exists.
Three EU policy developments make this the right moment for action. The Union of Skills highlights work-integrated learning as a priority. The European Degree Label and next Erasmus+ programme offer further opportunities for dual mobility.
What we recommend
EU-level recommendations
- Establish a European reference framework for dual higher education
- Clarify and reduce regulatory obstacles to cross-border work-based learning
- Align Erasmus+ programme rules with dual mobility requirements
- Strengthen European Degree Label criteria for work-integrated learning
- Establish a dedicated data monitoring system for dual higher education
National and regional recommendations
- Establish or strengthen national legal frameworks for dual higher education
- Align national and regional funding with dual programme costs
- Embed dual higher education in regional smart specialisation strategies
These recommendations draw on evidence from our first operational phase (2023–2026). They reflect input from four stakeholder councils and analysis of EU policy frameworks. Read the full policy brief to see the evidence behind each recommendation.
