The implications of sense of belonging for student retention in higher education: a systematic literature review and research agenda

Student retention and completion are fundamental issues in higher education. They reflect an institution’s commitment to academic excellence and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment. In recent years, students’ sense of belonging has become an increasingly important factor in the retention equation. However, the current body of knowledge linking sense of belonging with retention is fragmented and lacks coherence. To address some of the issues this raises, a systematic literature review was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the role of belonging in higher education retention. The review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge on this topic by evaluating and synthesising multiple studies, identifying research gaps, summarising current evidence, and highlighting trends within the body of knowledge. Sixty-six original empirical studies that analysed the link between students’ sense of belonging and retention in higher education were investigated. Our analysis of the reviewed papers identified several implications for advancing research, theory, and practice on this phenomenon. First, a deeper examination of the philosophical and theoretical concepts of a sense of belonging is required. Second, future research on sense of belonging and student retention should adopt an interdisciplinary approach, acknowledging its multidimensional aspects. There is a need to embrace research designs that accurately capture the subjective experiences and intersectionality of diverse student populations to bolster the equity and retention of these groups. Lastly, the review offers an organising thematic framework to guide future research by individual researchers and higher education institutions.