Students’ aspirations and the perceived value of a university degree: A cross-country analysis of students’ perspectives in European higher education systems

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Abstract

This paper examines the aspirations of students in Higher Education (HE) settings in six European countries – Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Poland and Spain. Drawing on 54 focus groups, conducted with 295 undergraduate students in 2017-18, we analyse the reasons students gave for pursuing HE and explore the way they perceive the value of their degree programme. Despite differences in HE structures, data show strong similarities in students’ views across Europe. We find that students’ aspirations can be varied and complex. However, when viewed from the perspective of future employment, students tended to believe that the value of their university degree was mediated by both the place and the subject of study, even in ostensibly ‘horizontal’ HE systems.

Event Details

Thursday 10 September 2020
14:00 - 15:00
Zoom webinar, registration required
Public
Department of Education
Free

Event Speakers

Achala Gupta

Organiser

Trevor Treharne