In 1999, European ministers of education signed the Bologna Declaration which established the foundations for the constitution of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in the year 2010. This initiative resulted in the reform of university systems in 46 countries which decided to participate.

Bologna in Spain
Some of the regulations under which the Bologna process has been implemented in Spain are:

• RD 1393/2007 of 29 October on the organisation of university studies
• Royal Decree establishing the issuing procedures of the European Diploma Supplement (DS) (1044/2003 of 1 August)
• Royal Decree establishing the European Credit Transfer System and the higher learning qualifications system (1125/2003 of 5 September)
• Organic Law 4/2007 of 12 April amending Organic Law 6/2001 of 20 December on university studies

If you wish to view the full list of regulations please visit the Documentation web page.

Objectives
The objectives in creating a European Higher Education Area are:
1. To adapt higher education and research to the demands and needs of European society and to advance in scientific knowledge.
2. To obtain a system which allows compatibility and transparency in the higher education systems of Europe.
3. To promote mobility among undergraduates, postgraduates, education staff and administrative and services staff around Europe.
4. To facilitate recent university graduates the chance to work anywhere in the European Union.
5. To provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to continue their learning process independently.
6. To create comparable higher learning quality standards in all areas: management, teaching and research.

To achieve these objectives all countries of the European Union decided to undertake the following actions:
a) The convergence of higher learning systems of different countries.
b) The adaptation of curriculums regarding structure, contents and definition of the learning outcome competences.

The pillars supporting the European Higher Education Area are:

• Cycle study structure
• European Credit System (ECTS) based on students' work
• Unique and transparent qualifications system
• European Diploma Supplement (DS)
• Renewal of teaching methods

The creation of the European Higher Education Area offers a series of opportunities to carry out a full reform of university studies and a change in working habits for both teaching staffs and students.