The Concept of Quality Assurance in European University Alliances: Same Old or Innovative Transformation?

Quality assurance (QA) has been both a cornerstone and a contested area in European higher education, helping on the one hand to ensure trust between systems and institutions and on the other hand leading to additional burdens on already strained resources. The emergence of European University Alliances (EUAs) marks a potential paradigm shift in the integration of higher education across Europe, positioning these alliances as both "game changers" and test beds for existing QA policy instruments, such as the European Standards and Guidelines (ESGs) and the European Approach to Quality Assurance for Joint Degrees. This research paper investigates how EUAs conceptualise QA within their collaborative frameworks and examines the critical challenges and opportunities they face in harmonising quality standards across diverse national systems. By exploring the establishment of joint QA procedures for education, research, and mobility, this paper probes whether EUAs represent a transformative moment for QA in higher education or merely a continuation of established practices. Grounded in an analytical framework that distinguishes between different possible notions of QA – whether as fashion or bureaucratic burden, as accountability instrument, as an educational enhancement and innovation tool, or a means of developing shared institutional cultures – this study employs a mixed-methods approach. It analyses policy documents including strategic papers and internal QA guidelines from selected alliances and incorporates insights from expert interviews with alliance leaders and QA managers. This approach uncovers both innovative practices and persistent challenges. Expected findings highlight the potential of EUAs to redefine QA through collaborative, cross-border frameworks that integrate diverse institutional practices while addressing the tension between national standards and unified policies. The research paper offers actionable recommendations for policymakers and higher education institutions, emphasising if and how EUAs can serve as models for innovative QA practices and shape the future of European higher education.