Same Same but Different? Non-Traditional Students and Alumni in Germany

Abstract

This article gives an overview about current research on non-traditional students and alumni in Germany.Its aim is to highlight similarities and differences with their traditional counterparts. The paper concentrates on the motivation to study, study performance, and labor market success (status and income) of those who do not hold a traditional higher education entrance certificate but entered university via occupational qualification. We show a widespread divergence in findings from no statistical difference at all to clear differences between non-traditional and traditional students and alumni. This holds true with regard to student motivation, study performance, and labor market success after graduation. We conclude that biggest challenge is the non-completion rates of non-traditional students, which poses a development task for institutions of higher education.

The Evolution of Educational Wage Differentials for Women and Men, from 1996 to 2019

“…In addition to choosing the type of 1 Higher education has gradually opened to individuals with vocational training and work experience or an MC certificate who do not otherwise possess a higher education entry qualification. The overall share of these students remains below four percent of all students, and less than two percent of all alumni (Brändle and Ordemann, 2020). We do not investigate the pathways into higher education or this subpopulation.…”