The First Gen+ Project: Fighting Social Selectivity in Higher Education
Social selectivity and first-generation students : what are we talking about ?
Social selectivity refers to inequalities in access to, progression through, and success in higher education and academic careers linked to s tudents' social backgrounds. In Switzerland, as in other countries, young people from modest socioeconomic backgrounds face more challenges than their peers from more privileged backgrounds. Young people whose parents have not had a university education also generally encounter this situation.
These inequalities are not limited to financial resources. Research shows that these inequalities are rooted in an unequal distribution of capital, including economic, social (i.e., networks of relations and family support), and cultural capital (i.e., familiarity with university codes and norms).
While 78% of the Swiss resident population comes from families where neither parent has a college degree, this proportion drops to 53% among university students. On the other hand, although only 23% of 20- to 35-year-olds come from families where at least one parent has a college degree, they account for 47% of students in higher education institutions (SFSO, SSEE 2020).
These discrepancies are too often misinterpreted as individual shortcomings. In reality, they reflect structural barriers.
The "Social selectivity by social origin in higher education” project
In response to these inequalities, the "Social selectivity by social origin in higher education" project was launched as part of swissuniversities' federal program P-7 Diversität, Inklusion und Chancengerechtigkeit in der Hochschulentwicklung (2021-2024). This project, supported by five partner universities (University of Berne, University of Fribourg, University of Lucerne, University of St. Gallen and University of Zurich), has enabled us to gain a better understanding of the issue of First-Generation Students and how it manifests itself in Switzerland.
This work culminated in the organization of a national conference in 2023, which laid the foundations for the first concrete measures and raised awareness of the issue on a wider scale. This also led to the drafting of a catalogue of recommendations for Swiss universities and other higher education institutions, as well as the creation of an information platform for prospective and current students and graduates.
The First Gen+ project: a broader follow-up
Following on from this initiative, the “First Gen+ - Advance First-Generation Students and Academics in Swiss Higher Education” project is taking over as part of the new Equity Program - Chancengerechtigkeit – Förderung der Gleichstellung, Diversität und Inklusion auf allen Ebenen der Hochschulen 2025-2028 (funding has been confirmed for the year 2025 and 2026, and further funding will depend on decisions made by the Swiss Confederation). The aim of this new phase is to build on the momentum already established and expand the network of partner institutions, which this time number eight: in addition to Berne, Fribourg and Lucerne, they now include EPFL, ETHZ, and the universities of Geneva, Neuchâtel and Italian-speaking Switzerland.
Key actions planned for this year include
- Publication and public communication of the online platform,
- Distribution of the catalog of recommendations to Swiss universities and other higher education institutions,
- Training courses for partner institutions,
- Creation of a national network of first-generation students and academics.
- Collaboration between partner universities for advocacy work and the sharing of best practices between institutions,
The “First Gen+” project goes beyond simply facilitating access to university. It also aims to strengthen the sense of belonging, academic success, and well-being of the students throughout their educational journey.
By recognizing inequalities as structural, it promotes a shift in perspective: valuing trailblazing paths and working towards a university that is fairer, more accessible, and more representative of society’s diversity.