The impact of COVID-19 on higher education: a review of emerging evidence

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on higher education worldwide in virtually all aspects of its functioning. This analytical report provides a synthesis of the emerging evidence on what impact COVID-19 has on three specific aspects of higher education in Europe: teaching and learning; the social dimension of higher education (i.e. the effect on underrepresented, vulnerable and disadvantaged learners); and student mobility.

Drawing upon 14 rapid-response surveys carried out in 2020 by university networks, student organisations and researchers, as well as over 50 journal articles, reports and publications, the analytical report synthesises the emerging evidence and presents policy recommendations on actions to be taken at the level of higher education systems and by higher education institutions themselves.