Increase attrativeness of European higher eduction

Study says: make European higher education more attractive worldwide

Is it possible to promote European higher education on a global scale?

Why do students from other parts of the world decide to study in Europe, and what are their perceptions of the EU’s higher education systems?

These and other related questions were raised in a large-scale survey on perceptions of European higher education in third countries. With about 20,000 respondents, it was one of the largest surveys of its kind ever conducted.

One of the main results: there is a clear lack of information on study opportunities in Europe.

“The study shows that European higher education is perceived positively around the globe”, said Ján Figel’, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism. “It also tells us, however, that Europe needs to further improve the quality of its higher education, and that it must provide more comprehensive and accessible information on its study opportunities.

The Commission will remain committed to the promotion of the EU’s higher education systems, notably through Erasmus Mundus – the EU programme specifically designed to improve the quality and attractiveness of higher education in Europe – and the Tempus programme for cooperation with our neighbouring countries.”

Funded by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Education and Culture following an open call for tender, the study was carried out between November 2004 and December 2005 by the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA)

Press release: Make European higher education more attractive worldwide