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The Implications of Sense of Belonging for Student Retention in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda

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Title: The Implications of Sense of Belonging for Student Retention in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
Language: English
Authors: Lan Thi Nguyen (ORCID 0000-0002-8101-365X), Matthew McDonald (ORCID 0000-0002-7460-4013), Thao Thi Thu Nguyen, Carmel Foley, Rebecca Kechen Dong (ORCID 0000-0002-2486-4511), Simon Darcy
Source: Journal of Further and Higher Education. 2026 50(1):120-145.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 26
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Sense of Belonging, College Students, Academic Persistence, Student Diversity, Foreign Countries, Student Characteristics, Inclusion
Geographic Terms: Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States
DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2585161
ISSN: 0309-877X
1469-9486
Abstract: 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.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505112
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Implications of Sense of Belonging for Student Retention in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lan+Thi+Nguyen%22">Lan Thi Nguyen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8101-365X">0000-0002-8101-365X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Matthew+McDonald%22">Matthew McDonald</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7460-4013">0000-0002-7460-4013</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Thao+Thi+Thu+Nguyen%22">Thao Thi Thu Nguyen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Carmel+Foley%22">Carmel Foley</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rebecca+Kechen+Dong%22">Rebecca Kechen Dong</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2486-4511">0000-0002-2486-4511</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Simon+Darcy%22">Simon Darcy</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Further+and+Higher+Education%22"><i>Journal of Further and Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 50(1):120-145.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: 26
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sense+of+Belonging%22">Sense of Belonging</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Persistence%22">Academic Persistence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Diversity%22">Student Diversity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Characteristics%22">Student Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Australia%22">Australia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Canada%22">Canada</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Colombia%22">Colombia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Germany%22">Germany</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hong+Kong%22">Hong Kong</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Netherlands%22">Netherlands</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom%22">United Kingdom</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+States%22">United States</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2585161
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  Data: 0309-877X<br />1469-9486
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: 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.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1505112
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        Value: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2585161
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Academic Persistence
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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