Participation in higher education has increased across the OECD in recent years. This has contributed to making the student body in higher education more diverse than in the past, but certain population groups remain under-represented. This under-representation indicates that there are underlying inequities in the education system that raise barriers for certain groups to enrol in and complete higher education programmes.
Improving equity of opportunity to participate in education helps to ensure that individuals with academic potential can access and complete advanced study and is relevant in delivering a highly skilled workforce and important in fostering democratic values. Equity of opportunity in higher education also helps to make efficient use of public and private funds invested in the system as governments seek to stimulate higher innovation and economic growth.
This report offers an assessment of the current policy landscape related to higher education and skills development in Portugal, focusing on access to higher education, including admission to the most selective programmes, and the completion of programmes once students enter higher education. The report identifies recommendations to the government and system stakeholders on how to strengthen the policy framework related to higher education pathways, direct and indirect financial support, career advice and non-financial support for student retention, such as tutoring and mentoring.
The analysis and recommendations contained in the report are underpinned by analysis of the Portuguese higher education system, international examples of policies and practices of relevance to Portugal, and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. Engagement included a stakeholder survey, focus groups in five regional consultation communities, and interviews with civil servants, public agencies, higher education institutions, school staff and municipal leaders.
The report is an output of the project “Making Higher Education in Portugal More inclusive”, funded by the European Commission through The Technical Support Instrument. It was produced by the OECD in close co-operation with the Portuguese Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES), the Portuguese Ministry for Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) and previously the Portuguese Ministry for Science, Technology and Higher Education (MCTES), and the Reform and Investment Task Force of the European Commission.