Many OECD countries have recently experienced rapid growth in tertiary education. With increasing globalisation of the economy and labour markets, their tertiary education systems are facing new pressures. This led the OECD’s Education Committee to request a major review of tertiary education. Twenty-four countries are participating in this review.

The review examines how the organisation, management and delivery of tertiary education can help countries achieve their economic and social objectives. It will focus primarily on national policies for tertiary education systems rather than on institutional policies and practices. Key questions include the economic and social objectives of tertiary education; sustainability, structures, links and mechanisms to ensure quality; mobilising adequate funding resources; and national policies and mechanisms to ensure effective governance.

• Tertiary Education for the Knowledge Society
  .......... Tertiary education policy - main policy directions
  .......... Funding tertiary education
  .......... Financial support for students in tertiary education
• Final International Conference: 'Tertiary Education for the Knowledge Society' (Lisbon, 3-4 April 2008)
• Objectives and Methodology
  Purpose, guidelines, country participation, outputs, developments, next steps.
• Country Background Reports
  Analytical reports prepared by participating countries according to a common framework.
• Country Reviews
  Country-specific analyses (Country Notes) prepared by teams of reviewers who undertake case study visits to the countries concerned.
• Other Documents
  Background and commissioned papers, other articles on tertiary education and related OECD publications.
• Useful Links
  Links to other international work relevant to tertiary education policy.
• Contact Information
  OECD Secretariat staff working on the Thematic Review of Tertiary Education.
• Previous Work: Thematic Review on the First Years of Tertiary Education
  Home-page of the previous OECD review of tertiary education, completed in 1998.