This study focused on students’ perceptions and expectations of university social responsibility (USR) and service quality from a gender perspective. The research used a semi-structured, self-reported questionnaire administered on an online platform to first and second cycle degree programme students in order to cover different perceptions and visions of USR in a Portuguese higher education institution. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling to test the proposed research model. The results show that gender has a direct impact on students’ expectations of USR. In addition, gender has an impact through the mediation of the respondents’ overall perception of USR. Universities thus need to pay more attention to USR, concentrating on having sustainable and/or responsible campuses, publishing institutional reports on USR and trying to relate academic education and research with social participation in order to support more humane, inclusive and sustainable development.

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University social responsibility,Service quality,Gender,Students’ perceptions,Students’ expectations