The "Practical Turn"
in European Higher Education

A Diversified Landscape of Applied Learning, Workplace Connections, and Innovation

European university campus building with modern architecture
Students and professionals collaborating in an innovation lab

Executive Summary

The "practical turn" in European higher education represents a significant and widespread trend toward more applicable education, closer workplace connections, and a focus on innovation. However, this transformation is highly diversified and uneven across the continent, creating a complex and fragmented landscape.

€447M
Dutch UAS research investment in 2023, up from €101M in 2009
60%
Austrian HEIs ranking entrepreneurship as top strategic priority
€63M
EIT investment in cross-sector innovation projects across Europe

While Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in countries like the Netherlands and Germany have long-standing traditions of practical orientation, traditional research universities are increasingly embracing this turn through strategic initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and spin-offs. European-level policies, particularly the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Universities Initiative (EUI), serve as powerful drivers of this trend.

"The practical turn is not a uniform phenomenon but rather a fragmented landscape, with Work-Integrated Learning and performance-based funding models being implemented with vastly different levels of maturity and success across the European Higher Education Area."

The "Practical Turn" in Universities of Applied Sciences

The Netherlands: A Leading Example of Practice-Based Research

Significant Investment Growth

Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) demonstrate the practical turn through substantial financial commitment. Total expenditure on practice-based research reached €447 million in 2023, representing more than quadrupling from €101 million in 2009 [^604^].

Funding Structure (2023)
First Flow (Government) ~60%
Second Flow (Competitive) ~33%
Third Flow (Commissioned) < 10%
University research laboratory with scientific equipment

Research Staff Growth

The number of professors at Dutch UAS has shown remarkable growth, reaching 772 professors by 2023, up from 270 in 2007. This represents a strategic investment in human resources to support practice-based research [^604^].

Centres of Expertise

Dutch UAS operate 46 Centres of Expertise as public-private ecosystems where companies, researchers, teachers, and students collaborate to address complex societal challenges. This model has remained stable over five years, indicating strategic focus and professionalization [^604^].

Sweden: A Focus on Practice-Oriented Programs

University West: Cooperation with the World of Work

University West in Sweden exemplifies the practical turn by building its identity around practice-oriented programs in close cooperation with the world of work. Founded in 1990, the institution has strategically emphasized collaboration with industry and external partners as a key driver of curriculum development and research activities [^651^].

"The SLW@HAW research project, involving Hanze University of Applied Sciences and University West, explores how UAS are adapting to shrinking student numbers, shifting labor market demands, and the growing importance of lifelong learning."

Germany: A Longstanding Tradition of Practical Orientation

Fachhochschulen Legacy

German Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences) have always been practice-oriented, with a primary mission to conduct applied research and prepare students for specific professions. This dual system has a long history, emerging from engineering colleges and academies with strong applied focus [^616^].

Adaptation to New Demands

German UAS are actively adapting to changing labor market demands and lifelong learning needs. The development plan for Münster University of Applied Sciences (2021-2025) includes measures to integrate digitalization, adapt curricula for sustainability, and expand practice-integrated bachelor's programs [^613^].

Students in vocational training at a German university of applied sciences

The "Practical Turn" in Traditional Universities

Austria: A Strategic Shift Towards an Entrepreneurial Mindset

60%
of Austrian HEIs rank entrepreneurial mindset as top 3 strategic priority
23%
of students hope to work in their own company within 5 years
8.1%
are "potential founders" already starting businesses

Austrian higher education institutions demonstrate the practical turn through strategic prioritization of entrepreneurship. According to a 2024 OECD country note, 60% of Austrian HEIs rank the development of an entrepreneurial mindset as one of their top three strategic priorities [^60^].

"The Austrian government has implemented numerous initiatives including media coverage of successful entrepreneurs, junior companies in schools, and start-up centers at universities, supported by numerous subsidies and funding programs for start-ups."

The Netherlands: Contrasting Budgetary Priorities

Research Universities Face Cuts

Dutch research universities face substantial budget cuts including fines for "slow" students and reduced funding for programs with high international student numbers [^650^].

UAS Research Protected

In contrast, €39 million annually is earmarked for UAS research until 2031, with the government explicitly stating that "practical research hasn't been affected and thus will remain unabated."

Germany: University Spin-offs and Technology Transfer

Case Study: fos4X Spin-off from Technical University of Munich

The fos4X success story illustrates the practical turn in action. Founded by TUM researchers, the company specializes in fiber optic sensors for wind turbines. The spin-off was enabled by university IP access, business expertise of co-founders, and support from TUM's technology transfer office [^672^].

Success Factors
  • • Strong patent portfolio
  • • University technology transfer support
  • • Business expertise among researchers
  • • Industry-relevant innovation
Wind turbine equipped with fiber optic sensors

European-Level Policy Initiatives Driving the "Practical Turn"

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

€63M
Investment
47
Projects
620
Organizations
46
Countries

In July 2025, the EIT announced a substantial €63 million investment to reinforce innovation capacity across European higher education institutions. This funding supports 47 cross-sector projects involving 620 organizations from 46 countries [^460^].

Deep Tech Focus

12 of the funded projects support the EIT's ambition to train 1 million deep tech talents by 2025. This strategic focus on emerging technologies prepares the European workforce for future challenges [^460^].

Consortium Composition

Higher Education Institutions 284
Businesses 186
Other Partners 150

The European Universities Initiative (EUI)

European Degree Label Development

Between 2022 and 2024, 21 alliances engaged in Erasmus+ pilot projects to develop a European degree label, culminating in its adoption in March 2024. This initiative involves 51 higher education institutions from 22 countries [^408^].

FilmEU
Joint master's program in film and Springboard Challenges
CIVIS
Civic engagement model with Blended Intensive Programmes
EPICUR
Distant Internships and remote work-integrated learning
European students collaborating in international university program

The European Higher Education Area and Bologna Process

2020 Rome Communiqué

The Rome Communiqué emphasizes flexible learning paths, recognizing that traditional linear progression models are inadequate for rapidly changing world needs. This supports the development of micro-credentials and work-integrated learning approaches.

Work-Integrated Learning Focus

The Bologna Process creates favorable conditions for WIL expansion through its emphasis on learning outcomes and student-centered learning, allowing formal recognition of competencies acquired through practical experience [^527^].

European Education Area Strategy

The European Commission's strategy aims to create a European Education Area by 2025, with €148 billion earmarked for education and skills through Erasmus+ and European Social Fund+.

€148B

A Comparative Perspective on the "Practical Turn" Across Europe

Work-Integrated Learning as a Key Indicator

Favorable WIL Environments

Germany: Dual study system combining academic education with vocational training
Netherlands: Practice-based research creating natural pathways for WIL
United Kingdom: Strong tradition of sandwich courses and year-long placements

Less Developed WIL Practices

Poland: Traditional theory-focused approach
Slovenia: Weaker institutional links with labor market
Spain: Cultural resistance to practical integration
"Countries with strong vocational education traditions and close ties between educational institutions and industry tend to have more favorable and well-developed WIL ecosystems."

Factors Influencing WIL Implementation Success

graph TD A["Work-Integrated Learning Success"] --> B["HEI-Market Alignment"] A --> C["Institutional Collaboration"] A --> D["Policy Framework"] B --> E["Curriculum Relevance"] B --> F["Skills Matching"] C --> G["Industry Partnerships"] C --> H["Co-education Models"] D --> I["Funding Support"] D --> J["Regulatory Environment"] style A fill:#722F37,stroke:#5D252A,stroke-width:2px,color:#FFFFFF style B fill:#4A6C8C,stroke:#374151,stroke-width:2px,color:#FFFFFF style C fill:#4A6C8C,stroke:#374151,stroke-width:2px,color:#FFFFFF style D fill:#4A6C8C,stroke:#374151,stroke-width:2px,color:#FFFFFF style E fill:#8A9A5B,stroke:#374151,stroke-width:1px,color:#FFFFFF style F fill:#8A9A5B,stroke:#374151,stroke-width:1px,color:#FFFFFF style G fill:#8A9A5B,stroke:#374151,stroke-width:1px,color:#FFFFFF style H fill:#8A9A5B,stroke:#374151,stroke-width:1px,color:#FFFFFF style I fill:#8A9A5B,stroke:#374151,stroke-width:1px,color:#FFFFFF style J fill:#8A9A5B,stroke:#374151,stroke-width:1px,color:#FFFFFF

Performance-Based Funding Models

Country-Specific Implementation Examples

Flexible Approach
Denmark
5% of VET and HE funding performance-related, with negotiated targets
Finland
5% base funding + 19% for universities of applied sciences from 2025
Centralized Approach
Italy
11 strategic objectives, up to 10% of funding at stake
Netherlands
3-6 thematic objectives with quantitative output indicators

The Uneven Implementation of Reforms

Regulatory
Barriers between countries
Administrative
Complexities slowing progress
Resource
Lack of funding and support

EUA Assessment Findings

The European University Association's 2024 report highlights uneven implementation of reforms toward transnational cooperation. While progress occurs, it remains slow and fragmented, with the practical turn benefiting some institutions and disciplines more than others [^257^].

Better Positioned
  • • Universities of Applied Sciences
  • • Institutions with existing industry links
  • • Countries with supportive policies
Facing Challenges
  • • Traditional research universities
  • • Theoretically-focused disciplines
  • • Countries with academic traditions