E.Gorbunova, Director of the G8 Research Centre of the International Organizations Research Institute, State University – Higher School of Economics, M.Larionova, Director of the International Organizations Research Institute, State University – Higher School of Economics

The paper presents outcomes of the project “External evaluation of the Bologna process implementation by Russian universities”. The research aimed to monitor and assess effectiveness of the universities’ integration into the common European higher education area. The analysis has been based on a comprehensive external and self - evaluation methodology. The findings contribute towards assessing effectiveness of the Bologna process implementation management in the Russian universities, identify main approaches, single out key difficulties, and highlight the main success factors and opportunities for enhancing effectiveness of the Russian universities participation in shaping the common European higher education area.