The purpose of this study is to examine the ongoing reforms in higher education systems in Europe and to grasp the general characteristics of the group of higher education systems (also called the European Higher Education Area) to be attained as a result of these reforms. The data were gathered through the document analysis method, a qualitative research method. In order to understand Üıe reform process in Europe, declarations from important meetings on higher education were used. These declarations were analyzed and the major themes of the intended European Higher Education Area (EHEA) were determined. According to the results, the EHEA to be created in Europe will possess the following characteristics; globally competitive, internally compatible, facilitate mobility of the students, academicians and administrator, and favours participation and quality.

Keywords: European higher education area, European higher education system