Authors

• Ministry of Education and Culture
• Statistics Finland
• Eurostudent consortium

Keywords

cost of living, educational expenditure, educational grants, employment opportunities, higher education institutions, housing, living conditions, students, tertiary education, youth employment

Abstract

The data were collected for the cross-European EUROSTUDENT V study, forming the Finnish part of the survey. Themes surveyed included economic circumstances and time use of students, progress in studies, international mobility, and future expectations and plans.

The respondents were asked whether they planned to study more after completing their programme, and what level degree they planned to complete. Satisfaction with a number of things in own studies was examined (e.g. quality of teaching). Expectations and plans after graduation were charted. Educational background was examined as well as breaks during studies and paid work done before starting higher education. Living conditions were studied with questions on housing, distance to institution, and income and expenses. Time use was investigated by asking about paid work done during the semester, factors affecting progress of studies, time spent on studying per week, and whether the respondents had progressed in studies as planned.

International mobility was charted by asking about study periods abroad and other issues related to study abroad (funding, arrangements, obstacles).

Background variables included, among others, the respondent's age (categorised), gender, the respondent's and his/her parents' country of birth (categorised), language skills, study status (part-time or full-time student), and language of study as well as number of children. Parents' education level, occupation and social standing were also surveyed.