The universities in Europe are finding themselves in a turbulent environment. They are exposed to global and European developments. This article links changes in the structure, culture, and policy of universities to these developments and changes in the broader-than-national environment. The central question is, in short: what is globalisation doing to universities? It is often feared or expected that globalisation leads to more uniformity and homogenisation. On the basis of case studies, this hypothesis is critically assessed. The model of change in universities turns out to be local variations on global and European themes and developments. This model can be called "the Networked University." (Contains 1 table.)