EDUCATIONAL CHOICES AND PARTICIPATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN ROMANIA

• Main Authors: Ana-Maria ZAMFIR, Raluca MOLEA, Anamaria NĂSTASĂ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Romanian Foundation for Business Intelligence 2019-08-01
• Series: SEA: Practical Application of Science
• Subjects: higher education; educational choice; regional disparities
• Online Access: http://seaopenresearch.eu/Journals/articles/SPAS_20_9.pdf

Education is a central social institution supporting human capital development and socialisation of youth to adulthood. From this point of view, the passage of individuals through the education system is an important theme of study for social sciences, both for explaining educational attainment, as well as for understanding subsequent outcomes obtained by individuals through their life course (employment, income, health, etc.). Educational trajectories are characterised by various transitions that mark the passing of individuals through the education system. The present paper aims to explore educational choices and participation to higher education in Romania and the way they are being shaped by contextual factors. We analyse statistical and administrative data on participation to higher education, considering the characteristics of the economic environment and institutional settings. Our results are relevant to better inform education related decisions of individuals, as well as for supporting the policy making process.