MEP Michalis Hadjipantela (PPE) has asked the European Commission whether Cyprus's refusal to recognise a degree from Staffordshire University, a UK institution recognised in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), violates EU law. The question, submitted on 7 April 2026, targets the Cyprus Council for the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications, which rejected the degree because the programme was partly delivered through a partner institution in Cyprus. Hadjipantela argues this contradicts EU case law (Cases C-153/02 and C-274/05), which holds that recognition should depend on the awarding institution, not the place or mode of study.
whether the refusal is compatible with Articles 49 and 56 TFEU on freedom of establishment and services; whether the Commission has identified similar practices in other Member States regarding franchised or validated programmes; and whether the Commission will take action, including infringement procedures, to enforce mutual recognition within the EHEA.
Hadjipantela's initiative signals a push for stronger EU enforcement of mutual recognition of qualifications, potentially affecting students, universities offering cross-border programmes, national recognition bodies, and the Commission's enforcement priorities. The Commission must reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it views Cyprus's practice as a systemic breach or a case-specific issue, and whether it plans to escalate through infringement proceedings.
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