“There are thousands of people…who contribute in important ways to the life of the communities in which they live, even though they do not have a college degree. Through native intelligence, hard work and sacrifice, many have gained in knowledge and understanding. And yet, the social and economic advancement of these people has been thwarted in part by the emphasis that is put on the possession of credentials.”

Thus wrote Ewald B. Nyquist, president of the University of the State of New York, over thirty years ago. His message rings just as true today.

The heart of European-American University is in dynamic education offering unique routes to a degree for mature individuals with previous professional experience in their fields. With its philosophy anchored in the non-traditional movement that has its roots in the United States, as well as more recent developments in European education, the University honours the independent lifelong learner through its blend of distance and community-based learning with traditional on-campus instruction. While the campus-based programmes include degrees suitable for recent school-leavers, most of our programmes described on this website are intended for working or retired adults with at least three years of professional experience and in some cases many more.

Our methods mean that you have more control over the design and content of your degree than at almost any other institution. You can shorten the time needed to earn your degree because of the intensiveness and efficiency of our fast-track programs. We operate a never-ending academic year in which you can enrol and begin your programme at any time.

There are no age limits at European-American University and we are happy to accept those who are returning to education after some years away. Because we are not a traditional university we are better equipped to deal with professionals whose expectations are of an efficient and person-centered atmosphere. There is no unnecessary bureaucracy and no barriers to recognising the learning you have undertaken.

This approach is suitable for the motivated individual who is prepared and willing to take charge of their education and be active rather than passive in that pursuit. In the process of earning their degree, they will learn not only about their chosen area, but about themselves and how they learn most effectively. This process will empower them at a fundamental level and ready them for service as dynamic change agents within their communities.

Maria Montessori discovered this when she wrote:

“…and if education is always to be conceived along the same antiquated lines of a mere transmission of knowledge, there is little to be hoped from it in the bettering of a person’s future… and so we discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.”