Mapping the Global Landscape of Student Support Services in Higher Education: A Scoping Review

Abstract

This scoping review examines the provision and outcomes of student support services in higher education institutions. The search was conducted on Web of Science and the Education Resource Information Center databases. Empirical studies published between 2019-2023 in English were included. Thirty-nine studies were eligible for inclusion. We categorised student support services into academic (advising, tutoring, mentoring, library, IT) and non-academic services (career, health/well-being, disability, financial aid, student organizations, and accommodation. Geographically, most studies originated from the United States (31%), Australia (26%), and China (8%), Germany and the UK each contributed 3% while studies from developing countries comprised 25%. Data synthesis and thematic analysis revealed that while 54% of studies addressed non-academic support, 77% focused on academic services, often using student perceptions as outcome measures. From the review, disparities in awareness, access, and utilization among diverse student populations were evident, alongside insufficient emphasis on non-academic provisions. Based on these findings, there is a need for tailored services to enhance academic success and student well-being. We therefore recommend that higher education institutions develop comprehensive non-academic support services to address diverse and complex student needs.