Why do some students study abroad while others stay at home? The latest EHESO analytical report, “Individual and Institutional Characteristics Related to Temporary Student Mobility,” sheds light on this important question by analysing student-level data from the Eurostudent survey alongside institutional-level data from EHESO microdata.

Covering 23 European countries, the report reveals that access to international study opportunities remains unequal. Factors such as parental education, household wealth, and institutional affiliation still shape who participates in temporary mobility—such as study exchanges or internships abroad. 

For example, students from wealthier backgrounds and those whose parents went to university are significantly more likely to study abroad. Older students (30+) also face more barriers, despite the growing age diversity in student populations. While EU mobility programmes have increased access for many, this report underscores the need for more targeted measures to address disparities.

In parallel, the report shows how institutional characteristics—particularly research intensity—further influence mobility. Research universities not only send out more students but also tend to attract students who already have greater social and economic advantages. As a result, institutional advantages often compound pre-existing inequalities.

By integrating the social dimension of student mobility (Eurostudent data) with EHESO's institutional microdata, focusing on sociodemographic characteristics of students and attributes of higher education institutions, this report offers a valuable resource for developing more inclusive mobility strategies—vital for realising the goals of the European Education Area.