Is the access to higher education equitable? Do students with different backgrounds have equal opportunities to receive a higher education? What should be done to ensure that acquiring an education is possible for a wider range of students? These are some of the questions that this survey tries to answer.

Students who have received their secondary education in a big city or at a renowned secondary school and whose parents have a higher education, are more likely to continue their studies in university. Students coming from rural areas, whose families have a lower level of education, are less likely to continue their studies.

66% of the Estonian student population works. In Europe, Estonian students spend the least amount of time doing activities related to studying. Students who come from families with limited financial means are more likely to work. But due to working the student’s active participation in educational activies decreases.

According to this survey, of all the full time students who work, 51% of them have a full-time job, 39% work part-time and 9% have temporary jobs.

In order to ensure equal opportunities in higher education, the educational establishments should analyze the socio-economic background of their student population in different study fields. The establishments could also create part-time work opportunities for students from a lower socio-economic background.

Educational establishments who provide secondary education should ensure career counselling and opportunities to continue their studies to students from different socio-economic backgrounds.

Educational establishments who provide higher education should ensure that information about study opportunities spreads to rural areas and schools with a smaller number of students.

School teachers should pay more attention to talented students with special abilities and support their motivation to study further.

The Ministry of Education and Research in co-operation with educational establishments should ensure that students get enough financial aid, like study allowances and student loans, especially students who have to work in order to get by.