The HITS project continues to delve into the evolving landscape of digital and tutoring services in higher education with the latest output of Work Package 3: the Needs and Prioritisation Map. This activity compiles the results of previous research phases, including participatory surveys conducted across 57 universities in Europe.
With input from 253 students, 82 teachers, and 46 experts, the analysis maps out:
The most appropriate digital approaches for the higher education environment.
Practical feedback on the effectiveness and challenges of current tutoring services and university platforms.
Key Highlights:
Experts identified eight major categories of tutoring services across institutions, ranging from academic support and digital tutoring to career guidance and special needs support. Their recommendations focus on improving:
Visibility and communication of services
Personalization of tutoring
Integration of digital tools
Multilingual and inclusive access
Faculty and administrative engagement
Teachers noted that students often revise their study plans due to social or emotional challenges and highlighted the importance of time management, goal setting, and making full use of available resources. Many pointed out the limitations of digital tutoring systems, which are often more informative than interactive.
Students showed strong interest in organizing their academic life independently but also recognized inefficiencies. A significant majority expressed willingness to improve their planning strategies, yet only around 21% have used formal tutoring services. Many students rely on peers for support, indicating a need to reinforce professional tutoring availability.
Digital tools are widely used by students (over 55% use digital agendas), but knowledge and access to tutoring-related sections on university platforms remain limited, with over 60% unaware of such integrations.
This mapping report provides valuable guidance for the next stages of HITS by clearly identifying what is needed to make tutoring services more inclusive, personalized, and digitally supported. It lays the foundation for future improvements in digital learning ecosystems across European higher education institutions.