The academic performance of students with a migrant background: evidence from a cohort enrolled at Sapienza University of Rome

Abstract

This study investigates the demographic characteristics and academic performances of foreign students with an Italian educational background in a cohort of 1st-year Bachelor students enrolled at Sapienza University of Rome, in the a.y. 2012/2013, comparing them to Italian and to International students. First, we employed a discrete-time competing risk hazard model to analyse differences in academic performances between Italian, foreign students with an Italian educational background and foreign students with a foreign educational background. Second, we applied regression trees to investigate final grades and the time-to-degree completion of Bachelor’s degree holders. Results show differences in the academic performances of foreign students with an Italian educational background compared to Italian students. Policies are needed, these results suggest, that strengthen opportunities for students from a migrant background since high school.

Students’ university mobility patterns in Europe: an introduction

“…What are the personal characteristics (with a focus on nationality) that influence university success? (Giudici et al, 2021). Is there an association between social background and the propensity to be a mover at university?…”

When in Rome, Not All International Students Do as the Romans Do. A Survey-based Typification of International Students’ Experiences and Profiles at Sapienza University of Rome

“…To our knowledge, only few studies have focused on the Italian context (Staniscia, 2012;European Migration Network, 2013;Montanari & Staniscia, 2013;Norton & Giudici, 2017;Norton & Fatigante, 2018;Giudici et al, 2021), highlighting the necessity of investigating these students in terms of access, academic pathways and success (or dropout), social inclusion (well-being) and university-work transition. Indeed, in previous stages of our study (Norton & Fatigante, 2018) we found that international students at Sapienza reported about a not so welcoming environment inside and outside the university, referred the discomfort experienced in living between «two worlds» (their own culture and the host culture), and showed a progressive shift from being «international students» to becoming migrants.…”