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While academics face changes to working practices, of much greater concern is the establishment of foundation (two- year) degrees.

Surely these would lie outside the conditions of the mandatory Bologna Process due for implementation in all European Union countries in 2010?

Would foundation graduates be eligible for the Euro Blue Card for employment due to be introduced in 2016?

After the introduction of the foundation degree would they be eligible for cross-boundary movement to participate in degree courses in other countries, all of which would be using Bologna Process educational structures?

Would foundation-degree graduates be eligible or even be competent to be considered for higher degrees within the EU?

These and many other dangers beset the 100,000 unfortunate foundation-degree graduates who will be funded by 2010. Has the Government even begun to think through the implica-tion? Are foundation degrees as they appear to most academics really fit for purpose?

Nigel James Sheffield University