Evaluation of competitive advantages of Ukrainian higher education institutions in the European education market

Abstract

The system of external factors that have a significant impact on the level of competitiveness of higher education is closely interrelated with its activities, and includes: financial and economic; organizational and legal; political; demographic factors, factors of ensuring the competitiveness of higher education institution. We have found out Ukraine’s rank in the global index competitiveness in terms of the component «Higher Education and Professional Training». We have identified external and internal factors that directly influence the competitiveness of higher education institutions. We have assessed the competitiveness of domestic higher education institutions in the European educational service market. We have studied their strengths and weaknesses. We have developed a mechanism for providing Ukrainian higher education institutions with competitiveness in the European educational service market, the basis of which involves functions, methods, levels, elements, means and tools of management for the higher education to be formed and to function effectively in the European educational service market. Our findings offer a set of measures to increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian higher education institutions and strengthen their position in the European educational service market. The proposed strategic steps towards increased competitiveness of Ukrainian higher education institutions will reduce the outflow of Ukrainian prospective students abroad and strengthen the competitive position of domestic higher education institutions in the European educational service market.

Keywords

• competitiveness
• higher education system
• european educational service market
• higher education institutions
• competitive advantages
• prospective students