Validation of non-formal and informal learning in higher education in Europe : Eurydice report

This report investigates whether higher education systems across Europe recognise and validate learning outcomes from non-formal and informal learning. Specifically, the report looks at whether non-formal and informal learning can enable alternative access to higher education; the extent to which non-formal and informal learning can contribute to the fulfilment of higher education study requirements by substituting formal degree courses; the type of learning that can be validated; and the quality assurance mechanisms underpinning validation practice. The report finds that the validation of non-formal and informal learning for the fulfilment of higher education study requirements is more common than the validation for accessing higher education studies. At the same time, permissive regulations cover very diverse realities. The report covers 37 European higher education systems (all EU Member States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye).