Group of students working together

Higher education

There are around 254 million students enrolled in universities around the world. Yet despite the boom in demand, the overall enrollment ratio is 42% with large differences between countries and regions. UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate in higher education and works with countries to ensure high quality higher education opportunities are available to everyone. It places a special focus on inclusion, the recognition of qualifications and quality assurance, particularly in developing countries. 

UNESCO works to increase students’ opportunities and mobility through the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education and the UNESCO Qualifications Passport for Refugees and Vulnerable Migrants among other instruments. It helps countries develop their own quality assurance agencies and networks.   
 

Higher Education Observatory

Watch what happens when we #UnleashTheTalent of every learner

The number of students in universities has more than doubled globally in the last two decades to 235 million. And it’s expected to double again in the next decade, along with international student mobility.

Higher education conversations

UNESCO’s Higher Education Conversation series is back, with a second round of conversations in the leadup to the entry into force of the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education.

higher education conversations
UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks

Building bridges between universities globally

Higher technical education in Africa

Matching skills with the labour market

Higher Education: figures at a glance
UNESCO
2024
0000389069
Internationalizing higher education: findings from the fifth consultation the implementation of the Recommendation on the Recognition of Studies and Qualifications in Higher Education (1993)
UNESCO
2024
0000389060
Institutional practices of implementing lifelong learning in higher education: research report
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
Shanghai Open University
2023
0000385434
International trends of lifelong learning in higher education: research report
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
Shanghai Open University
2023
UNESCO
0000385339
ChatGPT and artificial intelligence in higher education: quick start guide
Sabzalieva, Emma
UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean
Valentini, Arianna
2023
UNESCO
0000385146
Right to higher education: unpacking the international normative framework in light of current trends and challenges
UNESCO
Right to Education Initiative (UK)
2022
UNESCO
0000382335
Monitoring the implementation of the Lisbon recognition Convention: monitoring report, Paris/Strasbourg 2022
Lantero, Luca
UNESCO
Pedersen, Allan Bruun
Ramiņa, Baiba
Bai Yun, Cloud
Council of Europe
2022
UNESCO
0000383465
Knowledge-driven actions: transforming higher education for global sustainability
Parr, Adrian
UNESCO
Binagwaho, Agnes
Stirling, Andy
Davies, Anna
Mbow, Cheikh
Hessen, Dag Olav
Bonciani Nader, Helena
Salmi, Jamil
Brown Burkins, Melody
Ramakrishna, Seeram
Serrano, Sol
Schmelkes, Sylvia
Tong, Shijun
McCowan, Tristan
UNESCO Global Independent Expert Group on the Universities and the 2030 Agenda
2022
UNESCO
0000380519

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