PROGRESSION CRITERIA POLICY BACHELOR TO MASTER — MASTER TO PhD
| Policy number | EULER-QA-PR-2025-01 — Admissions & Records, v1.0 |
| Approved by | University Foundation Governing Board and University Executive and Academic Board |
| Effective date | 06/25/2026 |
| Next scheduled review | [Effective date + 3 years]; admissions audit annually |
| Policy owner | Director of Admissions and Registrar, under the Global Academic Chairman |
| Responds to | AAC Expert Report (June 12, 2025), Standard 5, Condition 1 (Condition 20 of 34) |
| Publication | University website — dedicated Admissions page “Progression Criteria: Bachelor to Master and Master to PhD”; program handbooks; EGNYTE — “Current and Active Policies” |
1. Purpose
This policy defines and publishes the formal admission criteria for progression between degree levels at EULER — from bachelor’s to master’s (EQF Level 6 → Level 7) and from master’s to PhD (EQF Level 7 → Level 8) — ensuring transparency and consistency for every applicant and student. It directly responds to AAC Condition 20 (Standard 5, Condition 1):
“Admission Criteria: Define and publish formal admission criteria for progression between degree levels (Bachelor to Master, and Master to PhD), ensuring transparency and consistency.”
2. Scope
This policy applies to all applicants seeking admission to EULER’s master’s programs (the European LL.M. in International Law; the Master in International Relations and Global Development) and to the PhD in International Relations and Global Development — and equally to EULER students who complete one degree at EULER and apply for the next level (internal progression, Section 8). The criteria apply identically to all applicants, regardless of prior institution, nationality, or sponsorship.
3. General Principles
- Transparency: all criteria are published on the University website, in program handbooks, and in the academic catalog; a summary appears in the application form.
- Consistency: every applicant is evaluated against the same minimum requirements; no admission occurs outside this policy except through the documented exception routes it defines.
- EQF alignment: progression respects the formal qualification cycle: EQF Level 6 (bachelor’s) → Level 7 (master’s) → Level 8 (doctorate).
- WHED verification: all foreign qualifications are verified against the IAU World Higher Education Database under the procedure of Section 6.
4. Bachelor to Master (EQF 6 → 7)
Admission to any EULER master’s program requires all of the following, implemented in detail by the Admission Criteria and Qualification Equivalency Policy (EULER-QA-AD-2025-01, AAC Condition 14):
| Criterion | Requirement |
| Bachelor’s degree | A recognized bachelor’s degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification (EQF Level 6) representing at least three years of full-time study and 180 ECTS (or WHED-confirmed equivalent, e.g., 90 US semester credits), from a WHED-listed institution |
| Field relevance | LL.M.: a law degree (LL.B. or a degree with substantial legal content). MA-IRGD: international relations, political science, law, economics, history, global or development studies, or a demonstrably relevant field |
| Academic standing | Normally equivalent to at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or Second Class Honours); WHED country system data used for non-GPA systems |
| English proficiency | IELTS 6.0 (no sub-score below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 79, CEFR B2, an English-medium degree, or the University’s administered assessment |
| Documentation | Complete file per the Admission File Checklist, including WHED Verification Log(s) |
5. Master to PhD (EQF 7 → 8)
Admission to the PhD program requires all of the following:
| Criterion | Requirement |
| Master’s degree | A recognized, thesis-based master’s degree (EQF Level 7) from a WHED-listed institution. Applicants whose master’s degree did not include a thesis may be admitted only on documented evidence of equivalent research competence (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, substantial professional research experience) |
| Academic standing | Master’s-level performance equivalent to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or Upper Second Class Honours); WHED country system data used for non-GPA systems |
| English proficiency | IELTS 6.5 (no sub-score below 6.0), TOEFL iBT 95, CEFR C1, an English-medium master’s degree, or the University’s administered assessment |
| Research preparation | A detailed research proposal of 2,000–3,000 words: research question, literature review, methodology, proposed timeline, bibliography |
| References | Three letters of recommendation, at least two from academic referees familiar with the applicant’s research ability |
| Writing sample | A published paper, a chapter of the master’s thesis, or a substantial academic essay |
| Thesis evidence | The master’s thesis (or an extended abstract of at least 1,500 words) with the master’s certificate and transcripts |
| Supervisor availability | Admission is contingent on confirmation that a qualified principal supervisor is available within EULER’s faculty (letter of intent from a potential supervisor, or confirmation by the Doctoral Committee) |
| WHED verification | Both the bachelor’s and the master’s qualifications verified and logged (Section 6) |
- Interview: PhD applicants may be invited to an online interview with the Doctoral Committee (Director of Admissions and Registrar, the prospective supervisor or program principal professor, and the Global Academic Chairman or delegate).
- Direct admission (exceptional): in exceptional cases, an applicant without a master’s degree but with extensive research experience and publications may be considered for direct admission on a formal petition, a documented equivalency evaluation, and approval by a two-thirds majority of the University Executive and Academic Board. Such cases are limited to no more than 5% of the PhD cohort in any academic year and are entered in a standing register reported to the Boards and included in the annual audit.
6. WHED Equivalency Verification
Every qualification presented for progression is verified against the IAU World Higher Education Database (whed.net) before any offer: the issuing institution’s listing and Global WHED ID are recorded in the WHED Verification Log (Annex A of EULER-QA-AD-2025-01); the credential’s level and duration are confirmed against the WHED country fact sheet (EQF Level 6 for bachelor’s, Level 7 for master’s qualifications); institutions not found are flagged for enhanced review, with ENIC/NARIC statements or ministry recognition letters accepted as additional evidence and the Admissions Committee’s determination recorded with reasons. All logs are retained in the student’s admission file for a minimum of six years and are available to the AAC in anonymized form.
7. Transparency and Publication
- The complete policy is published on the University website under Admissions, on a dedicated page titled “Progression Criteria: Bachelor to Master and Master to PhD.”
- The criteria appear in the program handbooks for the master’s and PhD programs and, in summary, in the application form; the full text is provided to any applicant on request.
- Any change to the criteria requires approval of the University Executive and Academic Board, is version-controlled, and is announced with a clear effective date and at least 60 days’ notice.
8. Internal Progression (EULER Students)
EULER students who complete one degree at EULER and apply for the next level are evaluated against the same criteria, with the practical benefit that their EULER credentials are already verified: the completed degree, transcript, and (for PhD applicants) the defended master’s thesis are on file in the CMS, and no new WHED verification is required for the EULER qualification. Internal applicants submit the level-specific items (research proposal, references, writing sample for the PhD) like any other applicant.
9. Appeals and Exceptions
A refused applicant may request reconsideration; the reasoned decision on appeal — by the Admissions Committee for master’s applications and the Doctoral Committee for PhD applications — is final and recorded in the file. No exception to this policy is granted except through the documented routes it defines (enhanced review, Section 6; sponsored applicants under EULER-QA-AD-2025-01; direct PhD admission, Section 5), each leaving a written evaluation on file.
10. Annual Review and Reporting
Progression files are included in the annual admissions audit (checklist and WHED-log completeness, target 100%); results report to the University Executive and Academic Board and to the AAC in the annual quality assurance update. The policy itself is reviewed every three years, or earlier if the audit so indicates.
11. Evidence of Compliance for AAC
- This approved policy, signed and dated.
- Captures of the published progression-criteria page and handbook extracts.
- Anonymized progression files: a B→M admission and an M→PhD admission with proposal, references, supervisor confirmation, and WHED logs for both degrees.
- Doctoral Committee records and the direct-admission register (with its ≤ 5% cap).
- The annual admissions audit report covering progression files.
12. Effective Date and Review
This policy is effective as of the approval date below and is reviewed every three years by the Director of Admissions and Registrar with the Global Academic Chairman.
