Bologna Ministers see research as an integral part of European higher education. At the Berlin summit they strengthened the link between the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area (ERA) by incorporating doctoral level qualifications into the Bologna Process as the third cycle. Both education and research are seen to play a key role in the European Union’s Lisbon strategy.

The 2005 Bergen ministerial summit mandated the EUA, together with interested partners, to prepare a report on 'the basic principles for doctoral programmes to be presented to Ministers in 2007'. The EUA hosted a Bologna seminar on doctoral programmes in Nice in December 2006. The outcomes of the seminar formed the basis of the report presented to Ministers in London. At London, Ministers asked the EUA to continue working on sharing experience of doctoral programmes in Europe.

It is important that Bologna requirements in this area remain flexible to accommodate the range of doctoral programmes in Europe which vary in purpose, duration and delivery. Doctoral training must meet the needs of both academia and a wider employment market. Research training should recognise doctoral researchers as professionals and be designed to equip researchers with appropriate skills and have the opportunity for professional development. The UK has good practice to share in this area. The UK welcomes the London Communiqué’s reaffirmation that overregulation of doctoral programmes must be avoided.