This review came in the midst of substantial recent and prospective reforms of the Swiss tertiary education sector. Its purpose was to evaluate these developments and offer recommendations for addressing emerging challenges. The terms of reference for the review covered the full range of the tertiary sector, with particular focus on the following: access to tertiary provision; the capacity and flexibility of the sector in meeting social and economic demand and the requirements of the recent and planned reforms; basic and applied research, and the quality of teaching and learning; governance, steering, quality assurance and accountability mechanisms; and the role of the new and strengthened colleges in provision of degree and non-degree learning opportunities.

Summary of the background report; Switzerland; The educational system in Switzerland; Tertiary education in Switzerland; The financing of tertiary education; Reforms in tertiary education; Annex tables...

Introduction; Scope and structure of the tertiary education system; Teaching, learning and research: Achievements, problems and reforms; From control and administration to steering and management; Information for decision making: The current situation and need improvements....