What are the Factors of Success at University? A Case Study in Belgium
*Université libre de Bruxelles, Centre for Knowledge Economics (CKE), ECARES (European Center for Advanced Research in Economics and Statistics), e-mail: earias{at}ulb.ac.be
Université libre de Bruxelles, ECARES (European Center for Advanced Research in Economics and Statistics), Institut de Recherche en Statistique and CKE, e-mail: cdehon{at}ulb.ac.be
By using a unique data set containing the entire newly enrolled student population at the University of Brussels, this case study aims to be the first complete analysis of the determinants that influence the student's; path at university in Belgium. We analyse the probability of succeeding the first year at university in Brussels taking into account individual characteristics, prior schooling and socioeconomic background. Our results show that the socioeconomic background of the student influence success in a significant way. More specifically, the mother's; level of education and the father's; occupational activity seem to predominate. We observe also a difference in performance between students coming from different high school programs. Indeed, students coming from one of the two high school systems existing in Belgium's; French Community ("traditionnel" and "rénové"), present non-homogenous results at the end of their first year. In addition and in contrast with some of the literature findings, Belgians and foreigners have the same first year performances if we take into account their socioeconomic environment. Moreover, the same results are obtained when we look at European and non-European students. Nevertheless, when we distinguish foreign students with respect to their level of integration, our analysis shows the existence of a "European elite" that comes to Belgium looking for a diploma and that do much better in their first year than Belgian students.
Key Words: Academic achievement • logit models • socioeconomic factors.
First of all, we would like to thank Françoise Thys-Clément for her support and her precious comments as well as ULB authorities for granting the database. We also thank all our ULB colleagues and the participants of the ECARES seminars in particular Laurent Bouton, Quentin David, Denis Herbaux and Vincenzo Verardi for their insightful comments. We thank the participants of the CESifo Venice Summer Institute and the Belgian Statistical Society for stimulating discussions. Finally, we would like to thank our anonymous referee for his very useful comments. All remaining errors are our own.
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