Education & Academia / Education Systems / Higher Education

Why Global University Expansion Is a Trap: The Dark Truth About Elite Degrees & Class Warfare

Equity Policies in Global Higher Education

Orlanda Tavares, Carla Sá, Cristina Sin, Alberto Amaral

We’ve been told that building more universities and expanding access to higher education is the great equalizer. But what if it’s actually the opposite? This video, based on groundbreaking research from the book *Equity Policies in Global Higher Education* by Orlanda Tavares, Carla Sá, Cristina Sin, and Alberto Amaral, uncovers the shocking reality behind the global college boom. Using data from the US, UK, Brazil, Portugal, and Nordic countries, we reveal how the system is rigged to maintain class divisions rather than break them down. From Harvard’s secret ALDC admissions algorithm to Brazil’s predatory online degrees, and from England’s crushing student debt to Portugal’s grade inflation, we expose the hidden mechanisms that keep the rich on top and the poor trapped. This isn’t just about access—it’s about the quality of education and the lifelong consequences of a rigged game. If you’ve ever wondered why inequality persists despite more graduates, this is the video you need to watch. Discover the four policy solutions that could actually change the system, and ask yourself: are we fighting for a ticket on a sinking ship?