Learning outcomes are becoming increasingly important in defining the goals and end results of a learning experience. Instead of focussing on the input (duration of a programme, subjects taken), the output of education (competences and skills obtained) is now in the centre of attention. This approach is being reinforced by major developments within the European area for higher education, such as the Bologna process and the implementation of qualifications frameworks. In an earlier project (CoRe1), it was established that European institutions of higher education are having difficulties in expressing the learning outcomes of their programmes in clear and concise descriptions of competences. Therefore, the present project (CoRe2) will produce a format for describing such competences, including guidelines and a glossary of useful terms. This will result in a user-friendly brochure and website, which will be available to end-users and other interested parties.With this tool, higher education institutions will be able to produce effective profiles of their programmes, providing specific and measurable information on competences. This will help students to clarify their competences, which will improve recognition of their qualifications, and thus increase their opportunities for mobility and employability. It will also help institutions in making their programmes more attractive to students, and in finding suitable partners for cooperation (both with other education institutions and with business/industry). Credential evaluators, admissions officers and employers will also benefit, as they will profit from more transparent descriptions of competences in the process of admitting students or selecting employees.