Modernisation of higher education in Europe : Access, retention and employability

Supporting the development of mass higher education systems is high on the policy agendas at both national and European levels. This is because higher education systems in Europe should be designed to quickly respond and adapt to the needs of our increasingly knowledge-based economy and societies. Likewise, to expand the knowledge-base and foster progress, an increasing amount of European citizens are required to hold higher education degrees. In Europe, the EU 2020 strategy, with a goal of 40 % completion by 2020, and the modernisation agenda, for example, both focus on increasing participation in higher education. In view of these objectives and to support optimal policy making, the Eurydice report on Modernisation of Higher Education in Europe: access, Retention and Employability examines policy and practice in Europe related to three stages of higher education: Access, which includes awareness of the availability of higher education, the requirements to be admitted, and the process of admission; retention, including progression through the study programme with support that may be provided when problems are encountered; employability, including measures supporting students' transition from higher education into the labour market. This brochure summarises key findings of the report