The aim of the EU-funded project "Public/private funding of higher education: a social balance" was to provide reliable data and information on the real and effective distribution of costs of higher education. The share of public and private costs has been calculated for students of different socioeconomic origin, reflecting social disparity and social exclusion. In a study that started out in late 2006, case studies from all the corners of Europe (Czech Republic, England, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Spain) were explored in the framework of a Socrates-funded project. Based on the results of this project, a discussion on the potential impact of these cost-sharing approaches on efficiency/effectiveness, equity/participation and mobility in higher education is now to take place at this conference.