The article provides an analysis of the role of the Council of Europe in the formation of the pan-European cooperation in the field of higher education. An author presents an integrated description of the work and activities of the international regional Organization in the mentioned area in 40—60 s of the XXI century. The main conclusion proposes that the basic principles of the European integration process in the field of higher education were elaborated within the framework of the Council of Europe.

Council of Europe, European Union, higher education, Bologna process