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Study abroad programmes and student outcomes: Evidence from Erasmus

Author

Listed:
  • Granato, Silvia
  • Havari, Enkelejda
  • Mazzarella, Gianluca
  • Schnepf, Sylke V.

Abstract

Exploiting admission thresholds for participating in Erasmus, the most popular higher education study abroad programme in Europe, we implement a regression discontinuity design and show that student mobility does not delay graduation and, in addition, has a positive and significant impact on the final graduation marks of undergraduate students. We find that Erasmus mobility improves graduation results for undergraduate students enrolled in scientific and technical fields and for those who apply in the first year of their studies, especially when enrolled in more demanding degree courses. Investigating plausible mechanisms, we find that the positive impact on performance at graduation is stronger for students who visit foreign universities of relatively lower quality compared to their home university. Finally, we do not find statistically significant effects of Erasmus mobility on postgraduate educational choices and labour market outcomes one year after graduation.

Suggested Citation

  • Granato, Silvia & Havari, Enkelejda & Mazzarella, Gianluca & Schnepf, Sylke V., 2024. "Study abroad programmes and student outcomes: Evidence from Erasmus," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:99:y:2024:i:c:s0272775724000049
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2024.102510
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Study abroad; University; Erasmus; Regression discontinuity design;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation

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