International Higher Education: Global Trends, Prospects, and Challenges for the 21st Century

Higher education has never been more interconnected—or more consequential. Universities educate millions of students, drive scientific discovery, shape national economies, and foster collaboration across borders. At the same time, they face unprecedented pressures, from geopolitical conflict and technological change to shifting demographics, climate challenges, and growing demands for equitable access. Understanding these forces requires looking beyond any single institution or country.

In International Higher Education, Philip G. Altbach, Tessa DeLaquil, and Hans de Wit examine the global forces transforming colleges and universities in the twenty-first century. With contributions from colleagues from the Center for International Higher Education at Boston College, they explore the expansion of higher education around the world, the rise of research universities and international collaboration, the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the changing landscape of student and faculty mobility, and the influence of organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, and the World Bank. The authors also consider persistent inequalities between and within nations, the relationship between higher education and the global knowledge economy, and the challenges posed by political polarization, academic freedom, and international security.

Written by the field's leading scholars, International Higher Education offers a concise, accessible introduction to the institutions, ideas, and global trends shaping contemporary higher education. An invaluable resource for students, researchers, university leaders, and policymakers, it provides the context needed to understand one of the world's most influential—and rapidly evolving—social institutions.