The European Higher Education Sector Observatory (EHESO) has launched the unique EHESO Benchmarking Tool for Higher Education Institutions, a new interactive platform that allows users to compare 3,500 higher education institutions across Europe with similar institutions, using a broad set of performance dimensions. The launch of this tool marks an important step in EHESO’s mission to enhance transparency, support evidence-based policymaking, and foster continuous improvement across the European higher education sector. CHE Centre for Higher Education is a partner in the international consortium developing EHESO tools and processes.
The tool provides comprehensive benchmarking opportunities for institutional leaders, policymakers, researchers, and the wider higher education community.
Two user-oriented interfaces
The tool offers two complementary versions tailored to different user needs:
- At a glance view: A streamlined interface for quick benchmarking. Users can select a higher education institution (HEI) and compare it with a predefined peer group. This version is ideal for users seeking fast insights with minimal configuration.
- Expert view: An advanced interface with extensive customisation options for in-depth analysis. Users can refine peer selections, explore performance dimensions, and adjust visualisations. This version is designed for institutional researchers, analysts, and policy specialists requiring detailed benchmarking and trend exploration.
The core of the “At a glance view” is a unique EHESO peer selection algorithm, which identifies similar institutions for meaningful benchmarking based on institutional characteristics.
Comprehensive indicator coverage
The Benchmarking Tool enables institutions to be compared across a broad range of performance areas. These include resources, teaching and learning, research, knowledge transfer, international orientation and regional engagement, as well as contributions to key societal challenges such as diversity, digital transformation and the green transition.
Sunburst
The “At a glance view” features a sunburst visualisation, which provides an intuitive overview of an institution’s performance profile. At the centre is the selected institution (“focal institution”), while the surrounding segments display results across the main performance dimensions.
Data sources and methodology
The Benchmarking Tool builds on the methodological foundations of the former U-Multirank project and integrates diverse data sources to ensure robust and comparable insights. U-Multirank was a multidimensional international university ranking tool (2013–2023), and its core benchmarking approach has now been further developed within EHESO. These include:
- National and international higher education statistics (e.g. ETER data collection)
- Erasmus+ mobility and project data
- Bibliometric and patent data
- Survey data and additional indicators developed within the EHESO microdata framework
By combining institutional-level data with broader sectoral information, the tool strengthens transparency and supports evidence-based institutional development.
Who should use it?
- Higher education leaders and managers seeking peer-based insights for strategic planning and quality enhancement
- Policymakers and national authorities aiming to understand institutional performance in national and European contexts
- Researchers and analysts conducting comparative studies and advanced benchmarking
- Students and the wider public interested in transparent institutional profiles and strengths
Training for the EHESO Benchmarking Tool
A training session for the EHESO Benchmarking Tool will take place on 10 June 2026. Participants will learn how to use the tool and explore its main features and analysis options.
- Date & Time: 10 June 2026, 13:00–14:30
- Format: Online event (MS Teams)
- Registration: here (until 8 June)
- Further information: https://national-policies.eacea.ec.europa.eu/eheso/events/intro-to-the-eheso-institutional-benchmarking-tool-10-june-2026
About EHESO
The European Higher Education Sector Observatory (EHESO) is an initiative funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission and implemented by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). EHESO provides a central platform integrating high-quality data and analytical tools to monitor and compare higher education systems and institutions across Europe. CHE Centre for Higher Education is a partner in the international consortium developing EHESO tools and processes.