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.
Highlights
Non-traditional students in higher education have become a stronger focus in research over the past few years due to their increasing share in the student population
We gave a brief overview of non-traditional students and alumni in Germany
We gave an outline of findings on their motivation, their study performance, and their labor market success
Summary
Non-traditional students in higher education have become a stronger focus in research over the past few years due to their increasing share in the student population. Keywords non-traditional students, non-traditional alumni, Germany, study performance, labor market success We discuss whether non-traditional students differ from traditional students regarding their motivation, study success, and labor market success.
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