A comparison of formal policies and practices for dual career implementation in European universities: insights from five European countries
Purpose As part of the project FIND-ME: University Dual Career Opportunities (FIND ME – 101134043), this study explores how dual career (DC) practices for student-athletes (SAs) are implemented), focusing on the balance between formal (policy-based) and informal (practice-based) approaches across partner institutions. Methods Each participating country conducted a desk analysis of national and institutional DC regulations. In parallel, a 31-item online survey was administered to higher education experts to assess DC implementation in five domains: logistical support, academic assistance/tutorship, curricular flexibility, social support, and financial aid. Results The analysis revealed considerable cross-country variability and a strong reliance on informal practices. Logistical support was mainly informal in Spain (54%), Italy (76%), Serbia (88%), Romania and Slovenia (100%). Assistance/tutorship showed similar informal trends: Spain (43%), Italy (52%), Serbia (35%), Romania (54%), and Slovenia (55%). Curricular flexibility remained partly formalized (29–56%), whereas social support was mostly informal, except in Spain (50%). Financial support was the least formalized area across all contexts (13–32%). Conclusions These findings highlight a widespread dependence on informal DC measures and underscore the need for harmonized policies to ensure equitable DC support. Results will guide the development of the FIND-ME platform as an evidence-based DC tool for higher education institutions.
Authors
- Amaia Ramírez-Muñoz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9236-1652)
- Raluca-Mihaela Onose
- Håkon Ege
- Nemanja Stanković (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5723-1481)
- Angela Di Baldassarre (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4473-4909)
- Barbara Ghinassi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3529-2790)
- Mojca Doupona (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6671-1282)
- Sofia Serafini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2666-5070)
- Antonio Sanchez-Pato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5798-8756)
- Pascal Izzicupo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6944-8995)
- Andrea Fusco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9090-4454)
- Laura Capranica (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3073-7655)
- Ilvis Ābeļkalns (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4151-672X)
- Beatrice Aurelia Abalașei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5464-7323)
- Ionuţ Onose (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8638-9510)
- Nenad Stojiljković (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6059-1899)
- António José Figueiredo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6956-0514)
- Higinio González‐García (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9921-744X)
- Tara Alonso del Hierro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8971-8921)
- Iris Prestanti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1581-916X)
- Matteo Perissinotto
- Burak Çalışkan
Institutions
- Universidade da Coruña (ES)
- University of Verona (IT)
- Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (RO)
- University of Nis (RS)
- University of Ljubljana (SI)
- Universidad de La Rioja (ES)
- Foro Italico University of Rome (IT)
- University of Chieti-Pescara (IT)
- Universidad Internacional De La Rioja (ES)
- University of Coimbra (PT)
- University of Latvia (LV)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Open Research Europe
- Published
- 2026-10-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.24315.2
- Primary Topic
- Higher Education Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Erasmus+