This paper utilizes the Efige data (2007-2009) to identify the determinants of university-industry cooperation in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK). We use a probit model for firm level data which incorporates variables of innovation activities and traditional determinants of R&D cooperation.The results of analysis support the view that the relationships between firms and universities have a high degree of heterogeneity. Traditionally evaluated firm variables, such as age, exporting, belonging to a sector, process innovation, are significant in only some countries. There are also common patterns: the probability of cooperating with universities increases for innovative firms and firms with R&D capacity in almost all countries. Policies in support of R&D and size are also an important factor.