Event

What next for higher education across Europe?

11 May 2026, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Location: Online

Think tank: The Policy Institute

This event hosted by UK think tank the Policy Institute explores where European higher education is heading.

Higher education in Europe is at a crossroads. Across the continent, and not just in the UK, long-established university systems are being reshaped by widening participation, demographic change and intensifying global competition. Institutions that were once small, elite and nationally focused must now navigate complex financial, political and societal pressures – raising fundamental questions about their future direction.

Join us as we explore where European higher education is heading. The discussion will draw on a new essay collection from the Policy Institute, with contributions and insights from senior academics in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. It will highlight key trends across Europe – from funding and governance to the role of domestic politics in shaping higher education policies – and offer timely insights into the choices facing the sector, its future sustainability, and its global standing.