The Joint European Degree Label in Engineering (JEDI) project, coordinated by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, brings together 16 partner institutions (engineering schools, technical universities, accreditation agencies, ministries and industry representatives) from 11 European countries. Its objective is to develop a common European label for joint degrees in engineering, to facilitate their recognition and accreditation at European level.
In view of the increase in student mobility and joint programmes, the project is responding to a growing needto harmonise the criteria for the assessment and recognition of diplomas. Currently, the lack of harmonised rules complicates the recognition of joint diplomas, both at national and European level. Professional associations of engineers, in particular, are often reluctant to recognise foreign programmes, which hampers the integration of these degrees into the European engineering, technology and science sectors.
To overcome these obstacles, JEDI has put in place a structured framework to ensure the coherence and quality of joint programmes. This framework includes the alignment of curricula with common learning outcomes, as well as the establishment of quality assurance and accreditation criteria. A prototype label was developed, based on common criteria, and tested on selected joint degree programs. Feedback was collected from students, academic institutions and employers to assess the impact of the label and refine its applicability and effectiveness. Indeed, a qualitative study published in 2025 in theInternational Journal of Engineering Education shows that stakeholders see great potential in joint degrees and the creation of a European label, even if differences between countries on points such as the duration of courses, the language of instruction, the recognition of hybrid or online training, etc. further complicate the establishment of a common framework.
We can already find public deliverables (reports, syntheses) that compile the criteria and comparative analyses. The published documents highlight the needto insist on academic autonomy, to limit regulatory complexity to what is strictly necessary, and to support institutions (resources, staff training, QA alignment) in order for the label to have a real effect. These recommendations are included in analytical and synthesis reports related to the steering of European labels.
This project offers a concrete solution to the challenges of recognising joint engineering degrees in Europe, placing digitalisation at the heart of its approach. It could in the long term facilitate academic and professional mobility of graduates, strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions and industrial actors, and contribute to the harmonisation of engineering training standards. Moreover, building on existing accreditation frameworks such as the EUR-ACE label, the project aims to ensure continuity and consistency with recognised quality standards, while promoting pedagogical innovation and mutual recognition of qualifications at European level.