This book provides a thorough international investigation of tertiary education policy across its many facets – governance, funding, quality assurance, equity, research and innovation, academic career, links to the labour market and internationalisation. It presents an analysis of the trends and developments in tertiary education; a synthesis of research-based evidence on the impact of tertiary-education policies; innovative and successful policies and practices that countries have implemented; and tertiary-education policy options. The report draws on the results of a major OECD review of tertiary education policy – the OECD Thematic Review of Tertiary Education -- conducted over the 2004-08 period in collaboration with 24 countries around the world.

“The new ‘bible’ of Post-secondary education.”

-Paul Cappon, President of the Canadian Council on Learning

 “An exceptionally useful and interesting review.”

-Tom Boland, Chief Executive, Higher Education Authority of Ireland

 “The reference text for the future debate on tertiary education.”

-José Joaquín Brunner, Professor and Director,

Centre for Comparative Education Policies, University of Diego Portales, Chile