To meet the needs of a fast-changing society and labour market, European universities start to increasingly offer smaller, highly specialised courses, called micro-credentials, or sometimes also nano-degrees or micro-learning.

Being shorter and flexible, they are offered by universities and other types of providers in areas where people would want to quickly upskill or reskill to meet labour market needs to develop professionally after starting work or for personal development.

There are a few key aspects to keep in mind if you are considering studying in Europe on a programme that awards a micro-credential

• micro-credentials are often delivered online or through blended learning, making them accessible even from home
• there is no agreed length for micro-credentials, so they can be anywhere from a few days to months, making it easier to choose a type and length that suits your availability and learning needs
• it may be possible to carry your learning outcomes to full degree studies – look into recognition of prior learning processes
• as a common European framework for micro-credentials is still under development, be sure to look for more information on the micro-credential’s content, assessment, certificate and quality assurance directly from the provider

Keep in mind that micro-credentials are not a replacement for full degree studies in Europe – but they can make you more attractive to European employers and help you fill your Europass CV with specific in-demand competencies.

Source: European Commission I European Education Area (https://bit.ly/3r6dgWO)