Higher education in welfare state regimes: a literature review

Abstract

Expansion and the growing role of higher education in determining life outcomes highlight the issue of its provision as a part of state welfare and redistribution policy. This article employs the critical review method and analyzes research on higher education in welfare state regimes. The article addresses research gaps and perspectives in studying higher education addressing the welfare regimes framework. A comparative analysis of access to higher education, educational systems institutional settings, and social stratification provide patterns in higher education redistribution, typical for conservative, liberal and socialdemocratic welfare regimes.