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EUROSTUDENT

Social and economic conditions of student life in Europe

Start of the project: 1994-Jan-01

The EUROSTUDENT project is an international survey project that has been collecting data on the social and economic conditions of student life in Europe since 1994. The EUROSTUDENT dataset covers all important aspects of student life: access to higher education, students’ demographic and educational background, types and modes of study, time budget and employment, students’ income and expenditure, types of housing, and international mobility.

The project is characterised by a de-centralised network structure, with involvement by European researchers and policy-makers active in the field of higher education. National surveys carried out and financed by the participating countries provide the basis for the comparative analysis of the social and economic conditions of higher education students in the European Higher Education Area. Each participant country is responsible for conducting a national study according to the central EUROSTUDENT conventions. EUROSTUDENT provides a central core questionnaire as well as several handbooks detailing standards for data collection, calculation and delivery. The national surveys - in Germany the German Social Survey (Sozialerhebung) - then deliver data to the EUROSTUDENT aggregate database.

EUROSTUDENT participant countries can use the results to reflect on the social dimension of higher education, thus (re-)evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their own systems. EUROSTUDENT strives to inspire discussions, exchange and research on higher education policy.

The EUROSTUDENT project goals are:

  • To provide a broad, policy-relevant cross-country comparison of data on the social dimension of European higher education.
  • To assist in capacity-building in order to establish policy-relevant and robust national monitoring structures for the social dimension of higher education.
  • To support countries in their efforts to use the insights from the international comparison to review and improve the social dimension of higher education in their country.

The project is jointly conducted by an international consortium made up of seven organisations from different European countries, led by the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW). An international Steering Board representing stakeholders, policy-makers and participant countries provides advice to the project and monitors its progress.

The project website provides up-to-date information on project activities.

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Individual projects

Completed projects

EUROSTUDENT VII
EUROSTUDENT VI
EUROSTUDENT V (in German)
EUROSTUDENT IV (in German)
Erfassung von sozialen Grunddaten der Studierenden in Mitgliedsstaaten der Europäischen Union (EUROSTUDENT III) (in German)
2. Erfassung von sozialen Grunddaten der Studierenden in Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union (EURO-STUDENT 2005) (in German)
Publications

Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe.

Hauschildt, K. (Hrsg.) (2024).
Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024. Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew
Abstract

The EUROSTUDENT 8 – Synopsis of Indicators is the central publication of the eighth round of the EUROSTUDENT project and the result of the collaboration of a European-wide network including researchers, data collectors, representatives of national ministries, and other stakeholders. It comprises data from student surveys conducted in 25 countries in the EHEA. Adopting a broad, comparative perspective, the Synopsis of Indicators provides information on students’ socio-economic and study-related backgrounds, their study conditions and experiences, including international mobility, and their living conditions. It aims to inspire policy debates on the topic of the social dimension and lay the ground for further research.

Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024.

Hauschildt (Ed.), K., Gwosć, C., Schirmer, H., Mandl, S., & Menz, C. (2024).
Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024. Bielefeld: wbv. https://doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew

Policy considerations.

Hauschildt, K. (2024).
Policy considerations. In Hauschildt, K. (Hrsg.), Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024 (S. 288-295). Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew011

Students’ housing situation.

Gwosć, C. (2024).
Students’ housing situation. In Hauschildt, K. (Hrsg.), Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024 (S. 238-262). Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew009

Students’ resources.

Gwosć, C. (2024).
Students’ resources. In Hauschildt, K. (Hrsg.), Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024 (S. 168-201). Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew007

Socio-economic background of students.

Hauschildt, K. (2024).
Socio-economic background of students. In Hauschildt, K. (Hrsg.), Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024 (S. 62-82). Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew002

Characteristics of national student populations.

Hauschildt, K. (2024).
Characteristics of national student populations. In Hauschildt, K. (Hrsg.), Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024 (S. 32-61). Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://www.doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew001

International student mobility.

Schirmer, H. (2024).
International student mobility. In Hauschildt, K. (Hrsg.), Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024 (S. 264-287). Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew010

Types and modes of study.

Schirmer, H. (2024).
Types and modes of study. In Hauschildt, K. (Hrsg.), Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024 (S. 106-125). Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew004

Transition into and within higher education.

Schirmer, H. (2024).
Transition into and within higher education. In Hauschildt, K. (Hrsg.), Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. EUROSTUDENT 8 Synopsis of Indicators 2021–2024 (S. 84-105). Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/6001920ew003

ETER indicators integrated with EUROSTUDENT data.

Schirmer, H. (23. Oktober 2023).
ETER indicators integrated with EUROSTUDENT data [Blogbeitrag]. Abgerufen von https://us15.campaign-archive.com/?u=922959e6e122388b77bde9390&id=63a29aedee

Die Finanzsituation von Studierenden unter verschiedenen Institutionen der Studienfinanzierung - ein internationaler Vergleich.

Gwosć, C. (2019).
Die Finanzsituation von Studierenden unter verschiedenen Institutionen der Studienfinanzierung - ein internationaler Vergleich. Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik. 68 (3), 278-308. https://doi.org/10.1515/zfwp-2019-2012
Abstract

Market, state, and the family of students are important sources of student funding. An empirical analysis for 25 countries in the European Higher Education Area reveals that in 80 % of countries, there is a pattern according to which students who depend on self-financing through the market reach the highest level of total monthly income. Their fellow students, who financially depend on their families, have a median income level and students who are mainly funded by the state have the lowest revenue. The significant differences in revenue between the three groups of students also involve financial problems of varying degrees.

Ungleichheiten in der Hochschulbildung in Deutschland und Europa - theoretische und empirische Analysen aus bildungsökonomischer Perspektive.

Gwosć, C. (2019).
Ungleichheiten in der Hochschulbildung in Deutschland und Europa - theoretische und empirische Analysen aus bildungsökonomischer Perspektive. Dissertation; Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.

Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe: Synopsis of Indicators. EUROSTUDENT V 2012–2015.

Hauschildt, K., Gwosć, C., Netz, N., & Mishra, S. (2015).
Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe: Synopsis of Indicators. EUROSTUDENT V 2012–2015. Bielefeld, Germany: W. Bertelsmann Verlag.

EUROSTUDENT (2012). Annual Report 2012.

Orr, D. (2013).
EUROSTUDENT (2012). Annual Report 2012. Hannover: HIS.

The European Higher Education Area in 2012: Bologna Process Implementation Report.

EACEA P9 Eurydice (Hrsg.) - HIS-Mitarbeiter(innen): Orr, D. (2012).
The European Higher Education Area in 2012: Bologna Process Implementation Report. Brüssel, Belgien: EACEA.

Soziale und wirtschaftliche Bedingungen des Studiums. Deutschland im europäischen Vergleich. Eurostudent IV 2008-2011.

Gwosć, C., Netz, N., Orr, D., Middendorff, E., & Isserstedt, W. (2011).
Soziale und wirtschaftliche Bedingungen des Studiums. Deutschland im europäischen Vergleich. Eurostudent IV 2008-2011. Bielefeld: Bertelsmann.

Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. Synopsis of indicators. Final Report. EUROSTUDENT IV 2008-2011.

Orr, D., Gwosć, C., & Netz, N. (2011).
Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. Synopsis of indicators. Final Report. EUROSTUDENT IV 2008-2011. Bielefeld: Bertelsmann.

Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. National Profile of Germany. eurostudent III 2005-2008.

Middendorff, E. (2008).
Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. National Profile of Germany. eurostudent III 2005-2008. Hannover: HIS.
Presentations

EUROSTUDENT comparative results: Digitalisation.

Schirmer, H. (2024, Juli).
EUROSTUDENT comparative results: Digitalisation. Vortrag auf der Konferenz EUROSTUDENT 8 Final Conference, EUROSTUDENT 8 consortium, Wien, Österreich.

Inclusive higher education in Europe – latest results from EUROSTUDENT.

Gwosć, C. (2024, Juli).
Inclusive higher education in Europe – latest results from EUROSTUDENT. Vortrag im Rahmen der Vorlesung "Infrastructure and Human Development" im Master-Studiengang "Sustainable Development", Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Kleve.

EUROSTUDENT 8: Key challenges for students in Europe.

Hauschildt, K. (2024, Juni).
EUROSTUDENT 8: Key challenges for students in Europe. Vortrag auf dem Symposium "Studierende zum Studienerfolg begleiten und unterstützen", 42. Deutsch-Französisches Kolloquium, Europäische Konferenz der Studierendenwerke, Caen, Frankreich.

Digitalisation of teaching, learning, and student life.

Schirmer, H. (2024, Mai).
Digitalisation of teaching, learning, and student life. Vortrag im Rahmen des EUROSTUDENT Talks webinar "From campus to cloud? Understanding digital transformation and COVID-19's impact on students", Praxis think tank.

Digitalisation of teaching, learning, and student life.

Schirmer, H. (2023, September).
Digitalisation of teaching, learning, and student life. Vortrag auf der Konferenz EUROSTUDENT 8 Policy-makers‘ Conference “EUROSTUDENT on topic”, DZHW, Hannover, Deutschland.

ETER in EUROSTUDENT 8 Sneak Peek. Preliminary results.

Schirmer, H. (2023, April).
ETER in EUROSTUDENT 8 Sneak Peek. Preliminary results. Vortrag auf der Konferenz EUROSTUDENT 8 Researchers' Forum, EUROSTUDENT 8 project consortium, St. Julian‘s, Malta.
Abstract

The results of the eight round of the EUROSTUDENT project is going to include a set of indicators derived from a match of student survey data with institutional characteristics about students’ higher education institutions derived from the European Tertiary Education Register (ETER). The presentation gives a first preliminary insight on possible analytical perspectives.

Poor students, rich students. Determinants of income concentration among students from a European perspective.

Gwosć, C., & Schirmer, H. (2023, April).
Poor students, rich students. Determinants of income concentration among students from a European perspective. Vortrag auf der Konferenz EUROSTUDENT 8 Researchers' Forum, EUROSTUDENT 8 project consortium, St. Julian‘s, Malta.
Abstract

Large financial inequality among students results in very different framework conditions for studying. For 27 countries of the EHEA, the extent of financial inequality among students was first determined using the Gini coefficient. There are differences ranging from 0.24 in Norway to 0.46 in Luxembourg. Various simple linear regressions suggest that two family-related variables (educational background, type of housing) increase the concentration of income, while national public student support significantly reduces it. A multiple regression shows, however, that only national public student exerts a very strong and highly significant effect and superimposes effects of social origin.

The social dimension of Lithuanian higher education in European comparison.

Schirmer, H. (2022, November).
The social dimension of Lithuanian higher education in European comparison. Keynote auf der Konferenz Socialinė dimensija Lietuvos auk?tajame moksl [The Social Dimension in Lithuanian Higher Education], Vilniaus universiteto Studentų atstovybė (Vilnius University Students’ Representation; VU SA) & ?vietimo, mokslo ir sporto ministerija (Ministry of Education, Science and Sport; SMSM), Vilnius, Litauen.

Poverty and precariousness of students in Europe - what EUROSTUDENT can tell.

Gwosć, C. (2022, November).
Poverty and precariousness of students in Europe - what EUROSTUDENT can tell. Vortrag auf der Konferenz Solidarity Campus, European Social Action Network, Metz, Frankreich.

Barriers to inclusion in Mobility opportunities from a minority group's perspective.

Schirmer, H. (2022, Oktober).
Teilnahme an der Podiumsdiskussion Barriers to inclusion in Mobility opportunities from a minority group's perspective auf der Konferenz Inclusion & Engagement in Mobility. SIEM project final conference, Erasmus Student Network (ESN), Brüssel, Belgien.

Credit Mobility im europäischen Vergleich. Hürden, Realisierung, Formen, Finanzierung.

Schirmer, H. (2022, Juni).
Credit Mobility im europäischen Vergleich. Hürden, Realisierung, Formen, Finanzierung. Vortrag im Rahmen der DAAD-Wissenschaftswerkstatt, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, Bonn.

EUROSTUDENT. What can data tell us about the social dimension of HE?

Hauschildt, K. (2019, April).
EUROSTUDENT. What can data tell us about the social dimension of HE? Vortrag auf der Peer Learning Activity " Inclusion in Higher Education: Promoting life changing opportunities for people of under-represented groups " der ET2020 Working Group on Higher Education der Europäischen Kommission, Brüssel, Belgien, 11.04.2018.
Data Sets

FDZ-DZHW, EUROSTUDENT VII. (2024). Eurostudent VII. Retrieved from: 10.21249/DZHW:es7:3.2.0

Contact persons

Kristina Hauschildt
Dr. Kristina Hauschildt +49 511 450670-193
Christoph Gwosć
Dr. Christoph Gwosć +49 511 450670-366
Hendrik Schirmer
Hendrik Schirmer +49 511 450670-117

Project website

http://www.eurostudent.eu