Higher education: Microcredentials, macro challenge

The EU’s push for short-term learning certificates might hit a member state barrier

Microcredentials are facing a macro challenge. Last month, the governments of EU member states backed a proposal to develop a unified approach to using the certificates of short-term learning. But not all EU countries are giving the idea their full support.

Microcredentials are emerging as a major area of focus for Europe’s leading universities as they look to change their traditional ways of teaching for a future that requires new—and continuously updated—skills. Under a unified European approach, a set of principles for microcredentials would be recognised across different countries.