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Supporting student retention and employment capabilities within higher education institution: four case studies research

Five European Union targets until 2020 include the necessity to increase the share of population having completed tertiary education (at least 40% of 30-34–year-olds completing third level education), to raise the employment rates (75% of the 20-64 year-olds to be employed) but also to reduce the poverty and social exclusion. In order to achieve those goals, higher education institutions should pay attention to improve their practices focused on widening access, to support retention for all students, especially for those underrepresented and unprivileged, as well as to enhance the employment capability of their graduates. This should be done, not only through the provision of support services, but integrating that support into strategy development, curriculum design and delivery and different extra- curricular activities. This paper brings the preliminary results from case studies research conducted at four higher education institutions in Europe that differ in their size, funding, government and support they provide for students from their access through the whole study period. Case studies research was conducted at: University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences (Serbia), University of Edinburgh (UK), Vienna University of Economics and Business (Austria) and University West (Sweden). The preliminary results of this study provide insight into good practices supporting student retention and employment capabilities within higher education institution. The initial list of practices will serve for further development of the strategic framework with accompanying maturity model, as a guidance tool for higher education institution striving to improve the maturity of their practices related to student support.

Case study research ; graduate employability and retention ; student support ; strategic framework ; maturity model

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