The harmonisation of Europe's disparate higher education system was never going to be straightforward. When 29 European countries first put their names to the Bologna Process in 1999, the idea was considered worthy, if a little far fetched.

However, structural reforms in higher education have not only taken place, but are continuing to do so across the region - somewhat surprisingly given the fact that the process is a voluntary, inter-government agreement. With the 2010 deadline looming, almost all signatories are on course to at least have begun the process.