The ESNsurvey is a Europe-wide research project covering different topics concerning mobility and education. It is the largest project of its kind, carried out independently by student representatives. The survey seeks to monitor the implementation of mobility programmes and the experience of international learners abroad, as well as the perceptions of students who have not participated in international student mobility yet.
Its first edition was launched in 2005, and thirteen more editions have been published since. The ESNsurvey has become one of the most relevant research publications in the field of student mobilities and the Erasmus+ programme, and over the 20 years of its existence, ESNsurveys have gathered more than 200.000 responses.
About Edition XVI
The new edition will focus on the “Future of International Student Mobility’, as it will help prepare for the future Erasmus+ programme and collect students’ opinions on the current state of International Higher Education in Europe and beyond.
Edition XVI of the ESNsurvey is open from the 12th of May until the 31st of July 2025, and it targets students who have participated in exchange programmes or mobilities abroad during the last two years, full degree international students, as well as students who have not taken part in mobility yet. New this year is a track for graduates with a mobility experience!
Who can particapte in the survey?
Mobile Students who took part in an exchange in the past 2 years
International Full-Degree students from the past 2 years.
Non-Mobile students who have not been abroad
Graduates who took part in an exchange more than 2 years ago
Fill in the survey before 31st of July 2025
Win one of the:
5 Interrail Passes
1 voucher for the Meninger Hotel - 2 nights
5 Flixbus vouchers - 20€ euros each
News & Publications
Stay updated with the newest edition of Europe's largest student-led survey focusing on student exchanges and Erasmus+, from launch to results.
XVI ESNsurvey is Now Open for Answers!
The 2025 edition of the ESNsurvey is now open and will remain live until 31 July 2025. Organised by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), the ESNsurvey is Europe’s largest student-led research project on international student mobility. Every two years, it collects insights...
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) launched the Final Report on the XV ESNsurvey, marking the flagship research project’s 15th edition. Titled “Making Quality Mobility a Reality for All”, the ESNsurvey collected ...
Launch of the Preliminary Results of the XV ESNsurvey
On the 29th of May, ESN launched the new edition of its flagship research project The data collection was open until the 31st of July, and it targeted students who have participated in exchange programmes...
The Erasmus Student Network, the largest student organisation supporting student mobilities in 44 European and Asian countries, has launched a new edition of its flagship research project, the ESNsurvey...
What are the findings of the ESNsurvey edition XIV?
In its 14th edition, the ESNsurvey collected more than 10,000 answers. The main objective of the survey was to monitor the implementation of Erasmus+ Higher Education mobilities and other student exchanges. Click here to read the results.
The 2025 edition of the ESNsurvey is now open and will remain live until 31 July 2025. Organised by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), the ESNsurvey is Europe’s largest student-led research project on international student mobility. Every two years, it collects insights from students to help shape and improve mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ and other relevant student exchange programmes.
This year’s edition invites responses from:
Students who have taken part in a mobility exchange in the past two years;
International full-degree students currently studying abroad or who have done so in the past two years;
Non-mobile students who have not gone abroad — to share their reasons for not participating yet.
The Future of International Student Mobility
The theme of this edition, “The Future of International Student Mobility”, reflects a critical moment in the evolution of European Higher Education. As discussions continue around the next Erasmus+ programme and budget, it is more important than ever to understand students' experiences and expectations.
A key focus will be on teaching and learning during mobility, and how students envision the future of flexible learning pathways, particularly in the context of the European degree proposal.
A Legacy of Student-Led Research
Launched for the first time in 2005, the ESNsurvey has grown into one of the most relevant sources of student-based research on international mobility in Europe. With 15 editions completed over the past 20 years, the survey has informed institutions, policymakers, and programme designers with real insights from the student perspective.
The previous edition, ESNsurvey XV, focused on inclusion and access to mobility. It collected over 23,000 responses from students and significantly contributed to discussions on improving the accessibility, quality, and impact of mobility programmes.
Incentives for Participants
Thanks to our amazing partners committed to accessible and sustainable mobility, we can offer rewards to students. To thank students for sharing their experiences, this year’s survey offers the chance to win:
1 of 5 Interrail Global Passes;
2-night stay in a Meininger Hotel;
Or 1 of 2 Ryanair vouchers worth €50.
Make your voice count,
fill out the survey now on esnsurvey.org
Date: 12 May 2025
Launch of the XV Edition of the ESNsurvey Report
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) launched the Final Report on the XV ESNsurvey, marking the flagship research project’s 15th edition. Titled “Making Quality Mobility a Reality for All”, the ESNsurvey collected approximately 23,000 responses: 17,855 answers from exchange students, 1,856 answers from full-degree students and 3,064 from non-mobile students.
This edition is the most comprehensive to date since it includes responses from exchange students, full-degree international students, and non-mobile students, thus helping understand mobility from different perspectives, ensuring a wider range of student experiences is heard.
“What makes the ESNsurvey special is that it is a project led by students. From designing the questions to promoting the survey, every edition is powered by the dedication of ESN volunteers. This work is only possible thanks to the support of our many partners, all of whom play a crucial role in helping us reach more students and amplify their voices.” - Ana Rita Dias, President of the Erasmus Student Network 2023-2025
The ESNsurvey, first launched in 2005, has become one of the most important tools for monitoring the development of the Erasmus+ programme and learning mobility from a general perspective. The report offers a comprehensive overview of the students' experiences and challenges, as well as evidence-based policy recommendations targeting European Institutions, National Authorities and Higher Education institutions (HEIs).
This edition is particularly important, considering the current mid-term evaluation of the Erasmus+ programme and the beginning of negotiations related to the Erasmus+ programme 2028-2034. The feedback gathered directly from students and the evidence-based recommendations play a key role in ESN's policy efforts to contribute to the improvement and widening of the Erasmus+ programme.
This edition examines key aspects of the student journey—before, during, and after mobility—covering preparation, support, costs, and study recognition. It addresses themes like Erasmus+ priorities, European Universities Alliances, inclusion, diversity, and digital learning.
Special focus is placed on the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) and the Erasmus Student Charter, aligning the findings with the ECHE monitoring guide to improve transparency, support, and credit recognition in the Erasmus+ programme. By exploring issues and personal experiences, the ESNsurvey highlights what defines a quality mobility experience and aims to enhance student exchanges.
>Key findings
In this edition, you can explore 15 key findings regarding participation, duration, knowledge and attractors for exchange students; events and support given by HEIs; grants distribution and credit recognition; sustainability and digitalisation during exchange programmes; and, finally, Erasmus+ students’ citizenship.
>Main Issues Faced by Students
>Insufficient funding: 35.63% of students reported that their grant was not enough to cover living costs, making it the top issue.
>Delayed grants: 62.7% of respondents received their grant only after departure.
>Connection to Europe and the World
>When asked, on average, students report an increasingly stronger connection to Europe and to the world as a whole. Notably, there is an increase in their sense of belonging to the European Union as well.
>Erasmus+ Programme Priorities
>The XV ESNsurvey reports that the preferred mode of transportation for travelling to the mobility destination is by plane, with 71.04% of participants choosing this option; however, for overnight trips during their mobility period, buses (40.02%) and trains (37.40%) are the preferred choices.
>On digitalisation, this edition has found that the highest reported usage of digital tools is for the Online Learning Agreement, at 44.14%. However, there is still room for improvement, as only 22.45% of respondents indicated that their mobility procedures were conducted online, and only 22.25% reported that the recognition process was handled digitally.
>Respect for the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE)
>Highest-rated aspect: The learning agreement signed by all parties, with clearly described activities for outgoing students at 44.14%.
>Lower-rated aspects:
>Providing full and accurate information on credit transfer and grade conversion procedures (at both the sending and host institutions);
>Availability of clear mechanisms for reporting problems and complaints at both the sending and host institutions (both institutions).
>As we look towards the future, the XV edition of the ESNsurvey emphasises the importance of making mobility accessible and beneficial for all, reinforcing the idea that quality mobility is achievable when student voices are at the forefront of policy development. It is available on this link in open source or below.
Launch of the Preliminary Results of the XV ESNsurvey
On the 29th of May, ESN launched the new edition of its flagship research project, the XV ESNsurvey. The data collection was open until the 31st of July, and it targeted students who have participated in exchange programmes or mobilities abroad during the last two years, as well as students who have not taken part in mobility yet.
The XV ESNsurvey collected 17,855 answers from exchange students, 1,856 answers from full-degree students and 3,064 from non-mobile students. The success of this data collection effort can be attributed to the support and collaboration of numerous stakeholders such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, National Agencies, Higher Education Institutions, Networks of Universities and European Alliances.
In light of the ongoing midterm evaluation process of the Erasmus+ programme, ESN has launched a preliminary report with the first key findings addressing the student voices' perspective on international mobility.
During this preliminary report, we've gained valuable insights into the primary trends among students who participated in mobility between 2021 and 2023. It’s important to highlight the positive impact of the implementation of the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 priorities, especially the inclusion of one, with 36% of respondents agreeing, and 46% strongly agreeing with these measures.
Findings related to exchange students highlight the need for accessibility of information, with 82% of the respondents reporting as a priority the need for information about available financial support. The challenges faced by students often revolve around insufficient money to cover the cost of living (35,63%), difficulty finding affordable housing (35,5%), and course-matching problems during their exchange period (33,97%).
Grants, while being distributed to more students before departure, student purchasing power is affected by the fundamental issues of insufficient funding and the high cost of housing during mobility. Additionally, there's room for improvement in terms of environmental sustainability and digitalisation in the exchange student experience, particularly concerning travel choices (many students still use planes) and access to online processes.
Credit recognition continues to be a concern, where 42% of students reported changes to their courses during their exchange. Lastly, while students generally express satisfaction with the services provided by Higher Education Institutions, it's worth noting that compared to the previous survey, there has been an increase in dissatisfaction rates, both with sending and hosting institutions.
On the knowledge of non-mobile students on Erasmus+ initiatives among students, it's evident that Erasmus+ for studies stands out with 95%. However, initiatives like the Blended Intensive Programme (9%) tend to be less familiar among higher education students, indicating a need for increased awareness about these opportunities.
We are excited to announce that the final report is scheduled for launch in December. Through this data results, we're also looking forward to collaborating with our many partners to improve the mobility of international students.
The Erasmus Student Network, the largest student organisation supporting student mobilities in 44 European and Asian countries, has launched a new edition of its flagship research project, the ESNsurvey.
The data collection is open from the 29th of May until the 31st of July, and it targets students who have participated in exchange programmes or mobilities abroad during the last two years, as well as students who have not taken part in mobility yet.
The survey seeks to monitor the implementation of mobility programmes and the experience of international learners abroad, as well as the perceptions of students who have not participated in international student mobility yet. Its first edition was launched in 2005, and thirteen more editions have been published since. The ESNsurvey has become one of the most relevant research publications in the field of student mobilities and the Erasmus+ programme.
In light of the ongoing midterm evaluation process of the Erasmus+ programme, the survey will place a special emphasis on aspects related to inclusion and access to student mobility, as well as the student perceptions on aspects related to civic engagement, sustainability and digitalisation. The questions are highly connected to the key commitments of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education and the aspects included in the Erasmus Student Charter.
Other key aspects related to the key policy priorities of the Erasmus+ programme and the European Higher Education Area are analysed in-depth in the survey, such as the recognition of learning outcomes, the acquisition of key competencies and the international dimension of teaching and learning. The survey is a key tool to support the monitoring of the implementation of the Erasmus+ programme in Higher Education from a student perspective, being the largest survey of its kind. ESN's 44 National Organisations and 520 local associations are involved in the dissemination of the survey. Besides Erasmus+, the ESNsurvey also monitors other mobility programmes such as the Swiss mobility programme SEMP and the new mobility programmes of the UK. Mobile trainees and full-degree students can also fill out the survey.
The survey has a global scope: besides analysing International Credit Mobilities in Erasmus+, it is also open to students from all over the world interested in learning mobility. This is part of ESN's broader global engagement efforts, which are focused on supporting learning mobility opportunities for students all over the world.
In its latest edition launched in 2021, the ESNsurvey gathered more than 12.000 answers despite the lower mobility numbers due to the pandemic, showing the remarkable outreach of the initiative.
This edition of the survey comes with strong incentives from partners committed to sustainable and accessible mobility, which will increase benefits for students who fill out the survey. ESN has joined forces with Eurail, which is supporting the survey by giving out 10 Interrail Global Passes among respondents, and Flixbus will also raffle out 10 return tickets. The winners will be announced at the end of the data collection period.
Date: 29 May 2023
Impact of the ESNsurvey results
The Erasmus Student Network claims that the ESNsurvey does not only allow policymakers and Higher Education Institutions to become more aware of the experiences, perceptions and challenges of students regarding learning mobility but that it has also driven change and helped to make the Erasmus+ programme what it is today.
The ESNsurvey results have been instrumental in advocating for inclusion and civic engagement to become priorities of the programme, providing in-depth information on the challenges faced by students with fewer opportunities and the huge potential of the programme to boost civic engagement.
“The ESNsurvey has become one of the most trusted sources of data on the implementation of the Erasmus+ programme and other learning mobility opportunities in Europe. The questions are shaped based on the feedback received from the daily work that our network does with hundreds of thousands of students every year, which allows us to identify priority aspects that are key to improving mobility experiences”
- Juan Rayón González, President of the Erasmus Student Network
The results of the ESNsurvey are widely disseminated to the European Commission, Members of the European Parliament and National Agencies involved in internationalisation, as well as Higher Education Institutions.
Relevant results from the previous edition of the survey
The report shows that overall satisfaction with student mobilities improved considerably since the beginning of the last Erasmus+ programme and that mobility has a remarkable impact on the students, increasing their interest in sustainability and making them more internationally minded. However, financial support, recognition and lack of interaction with local communities remain important challenges. Trainees report lower levels of satisfaction than participants in study mobilities, and Erasmus+ International Credit Mobilities receive higher levels of satisfaction.
The XIV edition of the ESNsurvey also showed that there are considerable national differences between countries in key aspects of the mobility experience, such as the timing of arrival of Erasmus+ grants for students or full credit recognition.
Universities in Northern European countries receive the highest levels of overall satisfaction with support services among mobile students, while challenges related to credit recognition are more common in Central and Eastern European countries: Hungary and Germany still stand out with less than 50% of students reporting full credit recognition. Students encounter the biggest challenges when it comes to receiving their grants on time in South Western Europe: In Spain, Italy, France and Portugal, less than a quarter of students receive their grants before their mobilities start.
For any queries about the ESNsurvey, don't hesitate to contact [email protected]
