Balancing Efficiency and Equity in a Welfare State Setting: High Participation Higher Education in Norway

Abstract

This chapter provides a detailed and extensive assessment of Norway’s high participation system (HPS) of higher education. It starts from a historical analysis of higher education enrolment since massification after World War II. Norway attempts to combine equity with relevancy, efficiency, and accountability. In relation to the general process of expansion, driven by family aspirations, and HPS governance and diversity, including the growing importance of larger institutions with comprehensive missions, Norway largely fits HPS propositions, though like other Nordic countries it departs significantly from the propositions in terms of stratification (low) and equity (high). There are signs however of increased research competition and formation of a steeper hierarchy.