Dilemmas of open admissions policy: quality and efficiency in Swedish higher education

This paper is concerned with the critical question as to whether the performance of the Swedish system of higher education can be considered satisfactory in a general sense and in comparison with other countries. Different efficiency and quality criteria are used in identifying central problems besetting higher education in Sweden. It is concluded that a liberal, unified system with generous admission principles such as that of Sweden, despite its apparently low efficiency, nevertheless would seem to reach an internationally acceptable standard of yield relative to costs. Thus, it is suggested that the improved democratization of higher education in this Nordic country has not been bought at the general expense of quality, as is often claimed by people critical of progressive higher education.