The Impact of Entrepreneurial Education in European Universities: A Comparative View of Methods and Practices

In the context of a rapidly evolving global economy, higher education institutions are increasingly called upon to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets and attitudes among students. This study explores how 14 universities from 13 European countries implement entrepreneurial education, analysing their strategies, methodologies, and institutional practices. Drawing on the HEInnovate framework developed by the European Commission and the OECD, the research employs a qualitative comparative analysis of institutional self-assessment reports to identify patterns, best practices, and challenges in fostering entrepreneurship within academia. The study focuses on three key dimensions: integration of entrepreneurship into curricula, the role of extracurricular activities, and the scope of collaborations with external stakeholders. Findings reveal a shared commitment across universities to promote entrepreneurial thinking through interactive teaching methods - such as case studies, simulations, and project-based learning - and through diverse extracurricular initiatives like business plan competitions, mentoring programs, and start-up incubators. However, significant differences emerge in terms of institutional strategies, resource allocation, and regional approaches to entrepreneurship. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of entrepreneurial universities by linking educational practices to models, offering actionable recommendations for enhancing entrepreneurial ecosystems in higher education.