Access to higher education in Brazil

This article presents an overview of the recent expansion of higher education in Brazil, with a focus on access and equity issues. We analyze affirmative action policies and legislation, and the impact of those policies on the equity of access. Research shows that affirmative action policies have had a positive impact on reducing inequalities in HE in Brazil, but secondary education is still the main bottleneck for further progress, both in terms of expanding higher education and of making access more equitable. We then analyze how expansion has been occurring differently by sector (public vs. private), and show some structural changes that are emerging in the private sector, in particular regarding the split between non-profit/for-profit private higher education and the recent growth in distance learning.