The academic research, presented at the Verona University, highlights systemic barriers to higher education access
UniCredit Foundation has unveiled "Beyond compulsory education in Europe", a major academic study which sheds light on persistent educational inequalities across Europe. The research highlights that young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds remain significantly underrepresented in higher education, facing barriers such as financial constraints, limited guidance, and systemic educational tracking1. This study is part of UniCredit Foundation's broader commitment to providing educational opportunities for the younger generation, with €28 million invested across Europe in 2024 alone.
The presentation of the study, held during the event "Equity in Education: from Secondary School to University in Europe", organized in collaboration with the University of Verona, provided an important opportunity for dialogue between the student and academic community and representatives of local institutions and the business sector. At the heart of the discussion was the topic of equity in education, an issue that is becoming increasingly central to the public debate at both national and European level. In the presence of Andrea Orcel, CEO of UniCredit Group and Chairman of UniCredit Foundation, Pier Francesco Nocini, Rector of the University of Verona, and Giovanna Iannantuoni, President of the Conference of Italian University Rectors, the event served as a genuine call to action for institutions, businesses, and civil society to join forces and take concrete steps to address systemic educational inequalities.
At the EU level, policymakers aim to increase tertiary education attainment to 45% among 25-34-year-olds by 2030, yet structural inequalities remain a challenge. According to the report:
- Students from wealthier families in Europe are more likely to enter university than those from lower-income backgrounds. In Italy, for example, more than 75% of children from households in the top quarter of the income distribution attend college, compared with less than 40% among those in the bottom-quarter
- Tracking systems significantly reduce the likelihood of vocational school students pursuing higher education
- In Mediterranean countries, university-dropout rates approach 50%, highlighting the difficulty of university completion, particularly for students from underserved communities
- A significant gender gap persists in STEM fields: while 33.6% of men choose STEM degrees, only 8.5% of women do. Women are much more likely to opt for humanities (37% vs. 17.9%)
On the base of this evidence, UniCredit Foundation has launched in September 2024 a €1.5 million pilot initiative in Italy, called Uni.ON, providing 200 high school students - many from vocational tracks and low-income backgrounds - with preparatory support for university admission. Of these, 70 students will receive three-year scholarships of €5,000 per year, covering essential living costs and academic mentoring.
Andrea Orcel, Chairman of UniCredit Foundation and CEO of UniCredit Group, talking to the students said: "Europe has built a world-class education system, but access to higher education remains deeply unequal. Too many talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds still face barriers that limit their potential and, in turn, perpetuate broader social inequalities. At UniCredit Foundation, we are committed to breaking down these barriers. Through research, collaboration, and targeted initiatives - such as our pilot program providing scholarships and mentorship in Italy - we aim to ensure that financial constraints do not stand in the way of academic success. Investing in education means investing in a fairer, stronger society for future generations".
Policy Recommendations and Call to Action
The UniCredit Foundation's research also proposes key policy solutions to improve university access and completion rates:
- Expanding bridging programs between vocational and academic education
- Reforming secondary school curricula to provide broader general education
- Introducing financial support mechanisms, such as Child Savings Accounts (CSAs), to help families plan for education costs
- Providing extra coaching and mentorship from universities to support students from underserved communities in navigating higher education and career choices, raising their aspirations and improving chances of attending university
Francesco Nocini, Rector of the University of Verona commented: "The University of Verona's commitment to removing barriers to higher education has already delivered significant results. This is reflected in the substantial increase in its student population, which grew from 25,771 to 29,875 students in less than six years. The university's efforts have focused on strengthening the right to education, expanding access to student housing, and improving services for students in more vulnerable situations. Thanks to a major financial investment, the no-tax area has been extended from an ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) threshold of €24,000 to €27,000, allowing around 13,000 students to be exempt from paying tuition fees. The number of beds available in student housing for out-of-town students has increased from 430 in 2021 to 540 today, with a target of reaching 670 by 2026. Furthermore, the number of students with disabilities and specific learning disorders receiving dedicated support services has risen from 376 in the 2020/21 academic year to 760 in 2023/24."
These crucial issues were at the center of a round table discussion during the event, which brought together some of the Italy's leading university rectors and education experts. The discussion reinforced the need for collaborative efforts between academia, businesses, and institutions to remove barriers to higher education and create a more inclusive system.
For more information to access the full report, click here.
1 Educational tracking refers to the practice of assigning students to different academic or vocational paths based on their performance, test scores, or school recommendations. While this approach varies across countries, it has a significant impact on a student's chances of entering higher education. Research shows that vocational students are far less likely to attend university, making tracking a key factor in perpetuating reinforcing educational inequality. Unlike broader socio-economic challenges, tracking policies can be directly addressed by national governments through educational reforms.
Verona, 8 April 2025
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