Create a double diploma with a foreign university

Category of recipe: Internationalisation through pedagogical activities and development of international skills (curriculum) / Internationalisation through partnerships.

Objective: Attracting international students; Improving academic quality / offer; Curriculum internationalisation; Development of structured mobility.

Short description: This recipe outlines the steps for creating a double diploma programme in partnership with another university. A double diploma refers to a structured academic agreement between two institutions, where students fulfil requirements set by both universities and receive two separate official degrees, one from each institution. This is not a joint diploma, where a single degree is issued jointly by both institutions. By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, this programme offers students a unique, globally oriented academic experience that enriches their education and enhances employability.

Academic recognition:
University: Improved institutional reputation and position in university rankings¹.
Student: Two or more official higher education degrees accredited in the European Higher Education Area (ECTS).

Level of difficulty: Advanced.

Calendar and time needed:
Preparation phase: 6–12 months.

• Initial stages include researching potential partner institutions, drafting agreements, and aligning curriculum requirements.
• Prepare the internal approval processes within your institution and establish communication channels with the partner institution.

Implementation phase: 12–18 months.

• Finalising the curriculum alignment, obtaining institutional approvals separately for each degree, drafting and signing the double diploma agreement, and launching the communication efforts.
• It also involves managing the first intake of students, coordinating the mobility process, and establishing the faculty exchange framework.

Cost summary: €€€.

Language and level required: English or bilingual (depending on partner institution); B2 level minimum for participants.

Roles and responsibilities:
Head of degree programme: Lead the collaboration, oversee curriculum design and liaise with the international office, communication teams, and legal advisors to drive the project forward.
International Relations Office: Facilitate negotiations and communications with partner institutions, ensure compliance with accreditation requirements, handle logistical aspects, and coordinate student mobility agreements and visa processes.
Partner institution representatives: Responsible for aligning curricula to ensure that each institution’s academic requirements are met while maintaining programme compatibility. They also coordinate student mobility frameworks, establish mutual recognition of credits while respecting national accreditation laws, and ensure compliance with their respective higher education regulations.
Communication team: Develop and execute a strategy to promote the double diploma programme to target audiences.
Legal advisors: Draft and review legal agreements related to the programme to ensure it complies with education laws and institutional policies.
Advisor in internationalisation (if there is such a person in the university): Provides strategic input on international collaboration and ensures alignment with institutional internationalisation policies.
Pedagogical engineers (if there is such a person in the university): Assist in structuring the academic framework, ensuring smooth integration of both curricula, and optimising the student learning experience.

Ingredients:
A Head of Degree programme with international vision and experience in curriculum and programme management.
An international partner university with compatible curricula, ensuring academic cohesion and consistency in programme calendar, design, learning outcomes, and degree recognition.
A Letter of Cooperation (LOC) to establish the informal agreement and outline the benefits of the dual degree programme.
A double diploma agreement detailing responsibilities, curriculum alignment, and logistics for student mobility.
Separate accreditation approvals for each degree from relevant agencies in both countries.

Steps:
Step 1: Research and partner selection

• Identify potential partner universities based on curriculum compatibility, academic reputation, and alignment with internationalisation goals.
• Secure the right sponsor who can advocate for the partnership and facilitate negotiations. In many cases, success depends not only on institutional alignment, but also on having a committed individual or team driving the process forward.

Step 2: Initial agreements

• Draft a Letter of Cooperation (LOC), which acts as an informal agreement to start developing the double diploma programme, to outline the rationale, mutual benefits, and initial academic objectives of the programme.
• Ensure that both institutions’ authorities and stakeholders approve the proposal.

Step 3: Academic programme development

• Define the key competencies and skills students will gain by establishing the programme’s goals and expected outcomes.
• Align the curricula between both institutions, ensuring the courses are complementary, and the recognition systems are compatible.
• Each institution will award its own degree, and students will earn two degrees. The curriculum may be developed collaboratively, or each institution may independently design its academic offerings.
• Specify the language requirements for students.
• Identify logistics for registration, student advising, and support services at both institutions. Establish whether a double diploma programme director or coordinator will be appointed.

Step 4: Development of a double degree agreement

• The double degree agreement is the formal agreement ensuring that all terms, including the details of the curriculum, faculty roles, credit transfer, and student mobility logistics, are documented. It should also include:
• A clear description of responsibilities for each partner institution.
• The timeline for the programme's launch and the criteria for its continuation.
• Details on accreditation processes and recognition of the degrees awarded. Each institution will issue its own separate degree.

Step 5: Accreditation and legal compliance

• Each university must secure national accreditation for its own degree separately. This may involve working with national accreditation bodies or higher education authorities.
• At this stage, you may also need to finalise the legal agreements for double diploma certification.

Step 6: Programme launch

• Promote the programme with multilingual marketing materials and provide orientation sessions for incoming students.
• Provide clear information on the application process, deadlines, and requirements for students wishing to participate.

Step 6: Continuous evaluation and improvement

• Collect feedback from students and faculty to evaluate the programme's impact and identify areas for improvement.
• Monitor student mobility and academic progress to ensure successful degree completion.

Budget description:

• Cost for the organising institution: Includes double diploma programme development, accreditation fees, administrative setup, and marketing efforts. Additional costs may be incurred for student mobility logistics and support services at both institutions.
• Business model of the activity: Shared tuition revenue or subsidised costs through grants, institutional funding, or Erasmus+ funding.
• Budget type / sources of revenues: Erasmus+ funding, institutional investment, tuition fees, and other potential external grants.
• Cost per participant: Variable, depending on the programme.

Non-mandatory items:

• Tips: Addressing calendar challenges in double diploma programmes:
• One of the most critical aspects when establishing a double diploma with a foreign partner university is aligning academic calendars and programme structures. Even when all other elements - such as curriculum compatibility, institutional agreements, and mutual interest - are in place, misalignment in academic timelines can be a major obstacle. Differences in the number of semesters, academic cycles, or the timing of course offerings may prevent the integration of two programmes, making it essential to assess these factors early in the planning process.

• Resource: (tutorial / template documents / videos / Flash-learns, international skills framework, etc.)
• QS International. (n. d.). QS World University Rankings, Events & Careers Advice at TopUniversities.com. Top Universities. https://www.topuniversities.com/
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. (n. d.). Dobles/Múltiples titulaciones internacionales | UAM. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. https://www.uam.es/uam/internacional/dobles-titulaciones-internacionales
• Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Licence Double diplôme Franco-allemand, Economie et gestion:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzFkSs3lG6w
  https://orientation-emploi.fr/fr/formations/info/licence-double-diplome-licence-economie-et-gestion-franco-allemand

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¹ Prestigious academic rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, consider the proportion of international faculty as a key indicator of an institution's internationalisation efforts. For instance, the QS World University Rankings include an indicator for "International Faculty," which contributes to the overall ranking, reflecting the institution's commitment to global perspectives and international collaboration in teaching and research.