This project aims to facilitate the formation of knowledge-based higher education policy in Estonia in order to achieve objectives set in national documents and strategies. In addition, the study is primarily directed at government policy makers, stakeholders and other interested parties to draw attention on the issues of equity and access to tertiary education.

The objectives of this study are:

• to document the significance and consequences of disparities in tertiary education opportunities with an emphasis on gauging the scope, extent and dynamics of inequities in accessing tertiary education. The special focus will be on socioeconomic, regional and ethnical indicators of inequalities in accessing tertiary education in Estonia;
• to identify both non-monetary and financial challenges and opportunities in access to higher education in Estonia;
• to offer concrete recommendations for effective policies directed towards the ideals of widening equal access to higher education in Estonia;
• to compare findings in international perspective in terms of access to tertiary education programmes in various regions and global perspective, particularly with data available for Eastern and Central European countries;
• to disseminate the findings of this study among tertiary education policy makers and other interested parties;

• to promote a public debate on the topic and systematic approach to higher education policy monitoring and evaluation.

The research  methodology uses mostly quantitative methods while qualitative methods form a smaller part of the research. Data collected from Estonian university students in 2003/2004, 2005/2006 and 2007/2008 focuses on both financial barriers and non-financial factors which are determinants of inequality in access to tertiary education. In order to gather a wider cross-section of data key stakeholders in the system on the strengths, weaknesses and policy priorities regarding access in higher education, interviews and panel discussions with experts and participants in the field will be conducted. Several outside experts, including OECD tertiary education expert, are consulted during this project.