Pathfinder validated by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland

Lusófona University, as the leader of the FilmEU European University, is proud to announce a historic achievement: Pathfinder – the Joint International BA in Film has been formally validated by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) through the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes.

This is the first time QQI has validated a joint programme using the European Approach, and the first time a bachelor's degree programme with a national partner has been validated according to this methodology, making Pathfinder a pioneering milestone for the FilmEU alliance in its role in defining the future of transnational higher education in Europe.

The national and international expert panel from QQI praised Pathfinder for its “solid cooperation foundations,” “relevant curriculum and well-defined learning outcomes,” and “robust mobility structure.”

The panel concluded that the programme “meets all relevant standards” of the European Approach and positions students as “filmmakers with a global vision and strong mastery of technique and innovation.”

The panel also recognized the innovative design of Pathfinder as a key step towards the creation of future “European Degrees.”

The consortium has already aligned the programme with the emerging criteria of the European Degree Label and intends to award a joint degree once the remaining accreditation procedures are completed.

“This programme is the result of deep and ongoing collaboration between academics from all over Europe,” said Dr. Deirdre O’Toole, Academic Coordinator of Pathfinder.

“Our teaching teams did not merely align content — they co-designed the curriculum, co-led modules, and built a shared pedagogy that reflects the collective spirit of FilmEU.”

“With several Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees already established, Pathfinder marks our first venture into a joint bachelor's programme,” added Professor Manuel José Damásio, Coordinator of FilmEU and Director of the Department of Cinema at Lusófona University.

“It represents the natural evolution of our alliance’s commitment to high-quality, future-oriented cinema and media education at all levels.”

The Vice-President for the European University of IADT, Barry Dignam, emphasized that “Pathfinder is not just a joint degree — it is a prototype for the future European Degree.”

“We are aligning our structure and governance with the criteria of the European Degree Label, ensuring that what we have built is scalable, inclusive, and deeply rooted in artistic and educational excellence.”

Pathfinder brings together five renowned institutions:

• IADT (Ireland)
• Lusófona University (Portugal)
• LUCA School of Arts (Belgium)
• NATFA (Bulgaria)
• Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (VŠMU) – expected to become a full partner in 2027
• Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA) – as an Erasmus partner

With integrated mobility, sustainability, and digital innovation at its core, the programme embodies the European Commission's ambitions for a connected and future-ready European Higher Education Area.

FilmEU thanks Dr. Eva Fernández de Labastida, the expert panel, and QQI for their support in this validation and their commitment to excellence in European higher education.