The higher education student is a research theme in different countries and societies. The international research approach focuses on student learning, their cultures and interests. In Brazil, without being careless to the psychological character of this approach, the research includes also a social and political perspective. This is done because throughout history the students stood out by their political activism through organized movements that have influenced the life of the country. In this article some leading authors in the research of student themes are indicated as well as the national student movements' and their political actions. In contrast with these political formative movements inside the university we question the also formative influence of evaluation programs with emphasis in national exam results. We question the consumerist marketing appeal of higher education institutions over the student that focuses on a consumer-student that is in search of professional ascension by productivist and individualized baggage.
University; Higher education; University student; Evaluation; Political student movement