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Study abroad programmes and student outcomes: Evidence from Erasmus

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Granato

    (JRC - European Commission - Joint Research Centre [Ispra])

  • Enkelejda Havari

    (LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - ULCO - Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Gianluca Mazzarella

    (JRC - European Commission - Joint Research Centre [Ispra])

  • Sylke Schnepf

    (JRC - European Commission - Joint Research Centre [Ispra])

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

  • Silvia Granato & Enkelejda Havari & Gianluca Mazzarella & Sylke Schnepf, 2024. "Study abroad programmes and student outcomes: Evidence from Erasmus," Post-Print hal-04548121, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04548121
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2024.102510
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04548121v1
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    1. De Benedetto, Marco Alberto & De Paola, Maria & Scoppa, Vincenzo & Smirnova, Janna, 2025. "Erasmus program and labor market outcomes: Evidence from a fuzzy regression discontinuity design," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    2. Akindele Ogunleye, 2024. "Leveling up the Mission: HBCUs’ Potentials towards a Global U.S. Study Abroad," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 11(7), pages 1086-1096, July.

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    JEL classification:

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

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