The project Bridge is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Servicio Espanol para la Internacionalizacion de la Educacion (SEPIE). Neither the European Union nor the National Agency SEPIE can be held responsible for them. -- Number: 2025-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000359236 --
The BRIDGE Digital Museum brings together good practices, educational proposals and images that inspire reflection and action
Social Challenges
Analyse social challenges to intercultural dialogue, social inclusion and democratic cohesion
Good Practices
Discover experiences that generate social impact
Educational Space
Access teaching guides, activities and materials for the classroom
Documentary Photography
Explore the social challenges in a visual, reflective and educational way
BRIDGE Main Challenge: A.3. Educational gaps throughout educational trajectories, including higher education
Displaced, refugee and exiled students face disrupted study paths, unclear admissions and recognition procedures, language and financial barriers, housing insecurity, trauma and social isolation. Universities often rely on procedures designed for ordinary international mobility, which may not respond adequately to the conditions created by forced displacement.
EXIL combines needs assessment, mapping of university practices, pedagogical guidance, institutional support tools, podcasts and networking. It helps higher education institutions move from emergency responses towards longer-term systems for access, teaching, well-being, mentoring, belonging and transition after graduation.
EXIL is an Erasmus+ transnational project supporting the integration of displaced and refugee students in European higher education. It combines surveys and in-depth interviews, documentation of good practices, pedagogical and institutional guidance, awareness-raising podcasts and networking. The project turns evidence on student needs into practical resources for lecturers, support services and university management.
Forced displacement creates educational inequalities that can interrupt access to and progress through higher education. Students may face missing documentation, uncertain recognition of prior learning, language and financial barriers, trauma, social isolation and limited support networks. Standard procedures for international students may therefore reproduce exclusion.
European universities need to move beyond short-term crisis responses. Better support for displaced students helps protect the right to education, reduces inequalities and enables institutions to create safer, more inclusive and academically effective environments.
EXIL addresses BRIDGE Challenge A.3 by identifying barriers that disrupt higher-education trajectories and translating evidence into tools for teaching, admissions and student support. It also responds to structural inequalities and strengthens intercultural dialogue within universities.
EXIL begins with surveys and in-depth interviews on displaced students’ needs and constraints. It then documents university good practices and converts the findings into two practical guides. Podcasts, national awareness activities and a Special Interest Group extend the exchange among students, university staff, experts and civil society.
Needs and constraints report (EXIL)
Digital publication
Needs and constraints report. Survey- and interview-based analysis of barriers faced by displaced students, including administrative, financial, linguistic and social challenges.
Teaching staff, Researchers, Professionals, Policy Makers
Best practices report (EXIL)
Digital publication
Best practices report. Examples of how European higher education institutions support displaced students through admissions pathways, language support, mentoring, psychosocial services and flexible learning.
Teaching staff, Researchers, Professionals, Policy Makers
Pedagogical guide (EXIL)
Teaching guide
Pedagogical guide. Practical guidance for adapting teaching to diverse academic backgrounds, interrupted studies, language barriers and trauma-related needs.
Teaching staff, Students, Professionals
Support services guide (EXIL)
Manual
Support services guide. Action-oriented guidance for access, recruitment, integration, mentoring, well-being, development and transition after graduation.
Teaching staff, Professionals, Policy Makers
Support services guide (EXIL)
Manual
Support services guide. Action-oriented guidance for access, recruitment, integration, mentoring, well-being, development and transition after graduation.
Teaching staff, Professionals, Policy Makers
Voices from the Field podcast series (EXIL)
Educational resource
Voices from the Field podcast series. Seventeen publicly available episodes bringing together student experiences, university practices and expert perspectives on inclusion.
Teaching staff, Students, Researchers, Professionals, Policy Makers, General Public