What Una Europa does

Una Europa is a non-profit alliance of 11 leading research-intensive European universities, formally established as a Belgian association (vzw) in Krakow on 1 February 2019. Its member institutions span Belgium (KU Leuven, hosting the Brussels central office), Germany (Freie Universität Berlin), Italy (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna), Ireland (University College Dublin), the United Kingdom (University of Edinburgh), Finland (Helsingin yliopisto), Poland (Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie), the Netherlands (Universiteit Leiden), Spain (Universidad Complutense de Madrid), France (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne), and Switzerland (Universität Zürich). The alliance designs and delivers joint educational programmes, research collaborations, and policy initiatives aimed at reducing fragmentation across European higher education systems.

The core portfolio comprises joint degree programmes — the Joint Bachelor in Sustainability (BASUS), the Joint Bachelor of Arts in European Studies (BAES), and the Doctoral Programme in Cultural Heritage (Una-Her-Doc) — alongside the virtual Una Europa Module Exchange in Data Science and AI, the Student Project Incubator, the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Training Programme (IDTP), and the Lifelong Learning Certificate 'From Data to Decision'. These offerings rest on a digital collaboration infrastructure enabling cross-border online module delivery, ECTS credit recognition, and student mobility. The alliance is organised around six transdisciplinary focus areas including Cultural Heritage, Sustainability, and Europe and the World, and operates through Self-Steering Committees, a Student Board, and a Student Engagement Team that drive bottom-up activity.

Una Europa is funded primarily through European Commission grants — the Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative (1Europe, Una.Futura) and Horizon 2020 / Horizon Europe (Una.Resin) — supplemented by in-kind and financial contributions from the 11 partner universities. It does not charge tuition at the central level; tuition is set and collected by individual partner universities. Governance rests with a General Assembly of Rectors/Presidents, an Executive Committee, and a Board of Directors, and the alliance is supported by an External Advisory Board including representatives of the European Investment Bank, the European University Association, and the European Commission. Sophia Karner was appointed Secretary General in March 2026.

Name

Una Europa

Legal name

Una Europa vzw

Website

https://una-europa.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Una Europa is a non-profit alliance of 11 leading European research universities that delivers joint bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programmes, virtual module exchanges, and research collaboration initiatives, serving students, academics, and professional staff across its member institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Alliance Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dual/Joint Degree Programs (International) (EDAIABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Articulation & Credit Transfer Partnerships (EDAIABAE), Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships (EDAIABAJ), Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

Keywords

• Higher education alliance
• Joint degree programmes
• University research collaboration
• Virtual student exchange
• Doctoral training programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Project Funding (Erasmus+ / Horizon Europe): The alliance is co-funded by European Commission programmes. Una.Futura is co-funded by Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative; Una.Resin received Horizon 2020 funding; 1Europe was co-funded by Erasmus+. Revenue is grant-based, not commercial.
2. Membership Contributions from Partner Universities: Partner universities contribute to the alliance through in-kind staffing, local coordination, and financial contributions managed via the Una Europa vzw association structure. No tuition revenue flows to the central alliance.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Una Europa is a non-profit alliance of 11 leading European research universities that delivers jointly awarded undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes (BASUS, BAES, Una-Her-Doc), virtual module exchanges, lifelong learning certificates, doctoral training programmes, and student project incubators, coordinated across partner campuses through flagship EU-funded projects such as Una.Futura. Revenue comes from EU grants (Erasmus+, Horizon 2020) and partner university contributions; tuition is not collected centrally, and most alliance-wide activities are free for participants.

Product overview

Una Europa is an alliance of 11 leading research-intensive European universities (Freie Universität Berlin, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, University College Dublin, University of Edinburgh, Helsingin yliopisto, Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie, Universiteit Leiden, KU Leuven, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, and Universität Zürich) that offers a portfolio of joint educational programmes and professional development offerings. The core portfolio includes joint degree programmes such as the Joint Bachelor in Sustainability (BASUS), the Joint Bachelor of Arts in European Studies (BAES), and the Doctoral Programme in Cultural Heritage (Una-Her-Doc). Supplementary offerings include the Module Exchange in Data Science and AI, the Lifelong Learning Certificate in Data Science, and the Student Project Incubator. These programmes are coordinated through flagship projects like Una.Futura and are structured around six transdisciplinary focus areas including Europe and the World, Cultural Heritage, and Sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Una.Futura: The current flagship project pursuing holistic integration of education, research and innovation dimensions of the alliance. Co-funded by European Commission under Erasmus+ Programme's European Universities Initiative.
• BASUS
• BAES
• Una-Her-Doc
• Una Europa Student Project Incubator

Products and services

• Joint Bachelor in Sustainability (BASUS) International interdisciplinary three-year bachelor's degree programme co-created by eight leading research-intensive European universities, leading to a single diploma jointly awarded by six universities (KU Leuven, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universität Zürich, Helsingin yliopisto, and Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie). Features mandatory mobility across three universities.
• Joint Bachelor of Arts in European Studies (BAES) Joint undergraduate programme co-organised by ten Una Europa partner universities examining fundamental aspects and values of the European Union, adopting a multidisciplinary approach and featuring an extensive mobility programme. Lead university is KU Leuven.
• Doctoral Programme in Cultural Heritage (Una-Her-Doc) Joint/double European doctoral title offered by nine Una Europa universities, featuring mandatory supervision by professors from two partner universities and obligatory stays at several partner institutions. Focused on Cultural Heritage research.
• Una Europa Module Exchange in Data Science and AI Virtual exchange programme allowing Master's students to take individual modules from four Una Europa partner universities, with all teaching, participation, and assessments conducted online, earning recognised ECTS credits.
• Lifelong Learning Certificate: From Data to Decision International course involving instructors from five European universities designed to equip professionals with data-driven decision-making skills, covering innovative technologies, data science languages, and strategic approaches to data analysis. Applications are processed via Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna.
• Una Europa Student Project Incubator Programme offering students opportunities to develop project development skills, network with peers across Europe, and gain experience in creating projects addressing real-life issues, typically delivered fully online 2-3 times per year.
• Interdisciplinary Doctoral Training Programme (IDTP) Programme preparing young researchers to tackle big societal challenges by giving doctoral researchers and supervisors tools to cross disciplinary boundaries, combine research methods, and create meaningful change.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~110 students per Student Project Incubator edition; ~40 students per year in Certificate in European Studies; first BAES cohort graduated 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Freie Universität BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019One of the 11 founding partner universities of the Una Europa alliance. Freie Universität Berlin contributes to joint degree programmes (BASUS as mobility partner), the Student Project Incubator, and governance through its Senior Local Lead and Student Engagement representative.
• Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di BolognacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019One of the 11 founding partner universities, the oldest university in the Western world. Contributes to Una-Her-Doc (Cultural Heritage), Module Exchange, and hosts the 'From Data to Decision' Lifelong Learning Certificate via its campus.
• University College DublincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Joined the alliance in 2022. Hosts the Student Engagement Team and coordinates the Student Project Incubator from its campus. Contributes to the Joint Bachelor in European Studies (BAES) and Interdisciplinary Doctoral Training Programme.
• University of EdinburghcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019One of the 11 partner universities. Serves as mobility partner for BASUS and contributes academics to the Europe & the World Self-Steering Committee and Cultural Heritage programme.
• Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Partner university and degree-awarding partner in BASUS. Hosts the spring 2026 Student Project Incubator. Helsinki Think Company (university-related member of the Una Europa Association) is also part of the alliance structure.
• Uniwersytet Jagielloński w KrakowiecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019One of the original eight founding university partners and the location where Una Europa was formally established as a vzw in February 2019. Hosts the BASUS common core (first two semesters), Student Project Incubator Summer Programme, and contributes to Una-Her-Doc.
• Universiteit LeidencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Joined the alliance in 2022. Hosts the in-person component of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Training Programme (IDTP) and contributes senior project leadership to the alliance.
• KU LeuvencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Lead university for BAES and degree-awarding partner in BASUS. KU Leuven's campus in Brussels houses the Una Europa central office. Hosts Una Europa's Internal Community platform. Peter Lievens is Coordinator of the Una.Futura project.
• Universidad Complutense de MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Partner university and degree-awarding partner in BASUS. Hosts summer campus at San Lorenzo de El Escorial for the Una Europa Challenge 2026 and contributes to Una-Her-Doc.
• Université Paris 1 Panthéon-SorbonnecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Degree-awarding partner in BASUS and coordinating university for the Cultural Heritage Self-Steering Committee and Una-Her-Doc doctoral programme. Hosting the 2026 Una Europa General Assembly. Fabienne Peraldi Leneuf serves on the Board of Directors.
• Universität ZürichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Joined the alliance in 2022. Contributes to the Module Exchange in Data Science and AI and is degree-awarding partner in BASUS. Hosts the Una Europa Module Exchange administrative platform.
• Uniwersytet Jagielloński's Academic Business IncubatorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Una Europa to co-organise the Student Project Incubator Summer Programme 2025, hosted at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków.
• Ernst-Reuter-Gesellschaft der Freunde, Förderer und Ehemaligen der Freien Universität Berlin e.V.minorOthersUniversity-related member of the Una Europa Association.
• Fondazione Alma MaterminorOthersUniversity-related member of the Una Europa Association.
• Jagiellońskie Centrum Innowacji Sp. z o.o.minorOthersUniversity-related member of the Una Europa Association.
• Edinburgh Innovations LimitedminorOthersUniversity-related member of the Una Europa Association.
• Associatie KU Leuven vzwminorOthersUniversity-related member of the Una Europa Association.
• Fundación ComplutenseminorOthersUniversity-related member of the Una Europa Association.
• L'Association des Amis de l'Université Paris1 Panthéon-SorbonneminorOthersUniversity-related member of the Una Europa Association.
• Helsinki Think CompanyminorOthersUniversity-related member of the Una Europa Association.
• European Investment BankminorOthersDr. Teresa Czerwińska, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, serves on the Una Europa External Advisory Board.
• European University AssociationminorOthersMichael Gaebel, Director of Higher Education Policy at the European University Association, serves on the Una Europa External Advisory Board.
• European Commission (Policy)minorOthersDr. Piero Venturi, Policy Officer at the European Commission, serves on the Una Europa External Advisory Board. The European Commission is also the financial funder of the alliance via Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EU-CONEXUS Alliance: EU-CONEXUS is a European Universities alliance of nine universities focused on Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability. Co-funded under Erasmus+, it offers joint degrees and transnational research — comparable to Una Europa in structure but specialising in coastal sustainability.
• EUTOPIA Alliance: EUTOPIA is a European Universities alliance of 10 partners including CY Cergy Paris Université, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, University of Gothenburg, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, and others. Like Una Europa, it is co-funded under the Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative, focuses on joint educational programmes and transnational mobility, and pilots European Degree concepts.
• 4EU+ Alliance: 4EU+ is a European Universities alliance of seven research-intensive universities (Charles University, Sorbonne Université, Heidelberg University, University of Copenhagen, University of Milan, University of Warsaw, and Paris Lodron University of Salzburg). It offers joint degree programmes, virtual exchanges, and shared research infrastructure under the same Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative as Una Europa.
• CIVIS Alliance: CIVIS is a European Universities alliance of ten leading universities including Aix-Marseille Université, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Università di Roma La Sapienza, and others. Co-funded under Erasmus+, CIVIS offers joint degrees, blended intensive programmes, and a CIVIS Global Engagement programme — directly comparable in scope, funding model, and ambition to Una Europa.
• COLOURS Alliance: COLOURS is a smaller European Universities alliance co-funded under Erasmus+ that brings together universities including University of Bologna (also in Una Europa), SGH Warsaw School of Economics, and others. It offers joint programmes in social sciences and humanities with comparable governance and joint-degree model.
• ENGAGE.EU Alliance: ENGAGE.EU is a European Universities alliance of seven universities including University of Mannheim, LUISS, NHH Norwegian School of Economics, and others. It is co-funded under Erasmus+ and focuses on joint master's programmes and research in economics, business, and social sciences.
• EUNICE Alliance: EUNICE (European University for Customised Education) brings together universities including Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes, and others. It is co-funded under Erasmus+ and offers joint programmes in European Studies and engineering, closely mirroring Una Europa's joint degree approach.
• CHARM-EU Alliance: CHARM-EU is a European Universities alliance led by University of Barcelona with Trinity College Dublin, Utrecht University, Eötvös Loránd University, and others. It runs the joint CHARM-EU Master's programme and pilots innovative transnational education — comparable to Una Europa's BASUS/BAES joint bachelor pilots.

Others

• European University Foundation (EUF): EUF is a non-profit foundation based in Luxembourg that supports universities in internationalisation, Erasmus+ mobility, and European Universities alliances. It is not a direct competitor but operates adjacent to Una Europa in the same EU-funded ecosystem, providing capacity-building services that complement or substitute certain Una Europa offerings.
• European University Association (EUA): EUA is a membership-based association representing over 850 universities across 49 countries. While not a direct competitor, EUA shapes the policy environment in which Una Europa operates and its Director (Michael Gaebel) sits on Una Europa's External Advisory Board — making it the most relevant sectoral umbrella body.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Una Europa