Over the past two decades there have been significant changes and reforms in both the French and the UK systems of higher education, with yet more being implemented or planned. The face of higher education throughout Europe and, indeed, globally is changing, and therefore it is even more urgent that France and the UK cooperate as closely and effectively as possible. The French government is taking forward this cooperation in a variety of ways, which are set out below.

The Value of Vigilance: Keeping a Watching Brief

The global market for higher education needs to be closely watched. Our ongoing analysis of UK higher education allows us to assess the advantages and drawbacks of UK policy choices, the hopes and worries that they raise, and the lessons to be drawn for France.

Actions:

• • Production of reports on academic developments in both countries.

• • Creation of a forum of ‘best practices’ and ‘benchmarking’.

• • Development of exchanges and intense programmes between the university vice-chancellors and for the sharing and discussion of their administrative teams in both countries.

The Promotion of French Higher Education

The international league tables do not include most French universities and this fact has been harmful to their image. One of the main objectives of the Attaché for Higher Education is to promote French universities and Grandes Écoles, and to encourage student mobility between the UK and France.

Actions:

• • Participation in carefully selected student fairs.

• • Support of partnership projects between British and French universities (visits by representatives of French universities and Grandes Écoles to gather information about the governance of UK universities to be used in the implementation of the French reform on university autonomy).

• • Strengthening of the Entente Cordiale scholarship scheme, as this scheme allows an orientation of students towards the best institutions and laboratories, where they will be given a warm welcome – as years go by, the alumni network grows in size and influence in Franco-British circles.

• • Development of fundraising to support international student mobility.

The Development of Scientific and Academic Networks

The Bologna Process for the creation of the European Higher Education Area has given a new impetus to cooperation in higher education between the member countries of the European Union, including France and the UK.