The OpenEU alliance launches its first joint European bachelor’s degree in software development and testing

This strategic milestone advances the consolidation of a shared and integrated academic offering within the European Higher Education Area. 

The OpenEU alliance is taking a decisive step towards building a digital, inclusive, and borderless higher education with the announcement of its first joint academic programme: the Joint Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development and Testing. This pioneering qualification, accredited through the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes (EA), transforms the Alliance's strategic vision into a tangible European and intercultural educational opportunity.

The programme brings together the expertise of three European open universities with a consolidated track record in online and distance higher education. The teams from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), as coordinator of the degree and the Alliance; the  Open Universiteit of the Netherlands (OUNL); and the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) have harmonised their academic, legal, and administrative frameworks. Their aim is to offer students an integrated digital university experience, paving the way for future joint studies among the Alliance members.

“By offering a borderless, entirely online educational experience, we are widening access to higher education through a high-demand programme that directly addresses the digital skills gap in Europe. Today, OpenEU takes a significant step in shaping a more inclusive, flexible, and competitive European Higher Education Area,” states Àngels Fitó, President of the OpenEU Alliance and Rector of the UOC.

International training for a strategic sector to lead the digital future

As one of the few joint Bachelor’s degrees designed and launched within the framework of a European University Alliance, this programme was created to respond to the needs of a highly digitalised society, where software is the driving force behind competitiveness and innovation. In contrast to single-institution degrees, this joint programme fosters a multicultural approach that underscores the critical importance of specific local contexts within global software development. In this global context, specialised profiles in software development and testing are among the most internationally sought-after, according to the latest EURES report.

The curriculum offers an international learning experience, enriched by the participation of faculty and experts from different universities across the continent, who bring a diverse and enriching perspective. Moreover, it prepares students for the new reality in which AI is radically changing how software is developed. As a result, there is a growing need for professionals who not only know how to build software but also how to ensure its quality, reliability, and security.

“The interest sparked among students by the launch of this degree demonstrates that European university alliances like OpenEU can go far beyond institutional cooperation and become true engines of innovation and academic attraction,” highlights Pastora Martínez Samper, OpenEU Alliance Coordinator and Commissioner for International Action at the UOC.

Want to learn more about the new programme? Check the degree website.