The participation of non-EU higher education institutions in European Universities Alliances

How can non-EU universities join European University Alliances, and what are the legal implications of their participation? As the analysis shows, the choice of a legal framework significantly influences access: national instruments (e.g., associations under Belgian or Dutch law) typically allow full membership, while EU instruments impose restrictions. European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs) accept non-EU institutions only from neighbouring states, whereas European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIGs) largely exclude them, forcing some to join as “associated partners”. This has prompted proposals for a new “European Grouping of Academic Cooperation” with global openness. Inclusion also presents challenges in academic activities, such as student and staff mobility, since eligibility for Erasmus+ funding varies by country, potentially creating unequal categories of students within a university grouping. Nevertheless, participation offers opportunities: it can strengthen EU external action and foster deeper cooperation with third countries. Switzerland’s push to rejoin Erasmus+ illustrates how alliances can extend European higher education beyond EU borders.