New skills for new futures: A comparative review of higher education guidance and counselling services in the European Union

The main results are presented of a study of the higher education guidance and counselling services in the Member-States of the European Union. The changing context of higher education in Europe, and its implications for guidance and counselling services, are discussed. The main trends in the development of such services are outlined, including the results of a task analysis covering the main guidance and counselling roles. Implications for professinalisation and for training and professional development are reviewed. It is suggested that a European Master's degree could be a valuable complement to national training and qualification structures. © 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers.