Recognition is key to ensure greater student and worker mobility by ensuring that a degree taken in one country is recognised in other country. This links in with the Bologna Declaration's aim of "easily readible and comparible degrees", some of the tools that aid recognition are ECTS and Diploma Supplement.

ESU believes that the basic rights of students concerning recognition of diplomas are the right to a fair recognition of their qualifications using transparent, coherent and reliable recognition procedures considered within a reasonable time limit. Recognition should be granted unless the competent recognition authority can prove there is substantial difference between the qualification for which recognition is sought and the corresponding qualification of the host country. In case of rejection, clear reasons for denial should be stated. Applicants also should have the right to appeal the recognition decision. Since the basic rights described are stated in the Council of Europe/UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the European Region adopted in Lisbon on 11th April 1997, ESU calls upon all the signing Parties to ratify the Convention.