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Study abroad programmes and student outcomes: Evidence from Erasmus
Silvia Granato1, Enkelejda Havari2,3,4, Gianluca Mazzarella1,5
1European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Italy.
Economics of Education Review
|April 15, 2024
Summary
Erasmus study abroad programmes do not delay graduation and significantly improve undergraduate student marks, particularly in STEM fields. This popular European higher education mobility programme enhances academic performance without negatively impacting future study or career choices.
Area of Science:
- Higher Education Studies
- Economics of Education
- Student Mobility Research
Background:
- The Erasmus programme is Europe's leading higher education study abroad initiative.
- Understanding the academic and long-term impacts of international student mobility is crucial for educational policy.
- Previous research has yielded mixed results on the effects of study abroad on academic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rigorously assess the impact of Erasmus student mobility on graduation timelines and academic performance.
- To identify specific student demographics and fields of study that benefit most from the Erasmus programme.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms driving the observed effects on academic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a regression discontinuity design exploiting admission thresholds for Erasmus participation.
- Analysis of student graduation data, including time to graduation and final marks.
- Examination of postgraduate educational choices and early labor market outcomes.
Main Results:
- Erasmus mobility does not delay student graduation.
- Participation in Erasmus significantly enhances final undergraduate graduation marks.
- Benefits are more pronounced for students in scientific/technical fields, early applicants, and those in demanding courses.
- The positive impact on performance is stronger when students attend foreign universities of comparatively lower rank.
- No statistically significant effects were found on postgraduate education or labor market outcomes one year post-graduation.
Conclusions:
- Erasmus study abroad programmes positively influence undergraduate academic achievement without delaying graduation.
- The programme's benefits are concentrated among specific student groups and fields, suggesting targeted support could maximize impact.
- The findings suggest that the Erasmus experience enhances academic performance, potentially through mechanisms not directly related to university prestige.
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