Higher Education in Argentina

Abstract

The objective of this work is to establish a relationship between the increase in registration for higher level education and GDP per capita in a group of selected countries in the world and place Health Sciences as a proportion of such registration. Data from Unesco and World Bank are used. This is a descriptive correlational study with transversal retrospective design.

We conclude that primary and secondary education in Argentina present high repetition rates. Out of 10 students who enter secondary school, more than six do not complete it. The increase in registration does not seem to guarantee universality. If we consider what has happened since the year 2003, the percentage of graduates has not changed even though registration increased 6 points in percentage terms regarding people in situation to enter higher education.

Processes of university overcrowding show differences in cultural capital, generating great heterogeneity among the students reaching the classrooms. Different factors such as the student´s family setting, social and cultural capital accumulated in the family, personal characteristics, previous schooling and previous school success would determine the academic success. There may be students who have not had the possibilities to acquire and incorporate the knowledge, abilities and capital necessary to stay in university and this brings about the reproduction of exclusion and social inequality.

Countries with GDP per capita similar to that in Argentina, present better university graduation rates. This fact shows that in Argentina there is much more to improve independently from its GDP per capita.

In the field of study “Health and Wellbeing” (including Medicine, Medical Services, Nursing and Dentistry) Argentina, with a medium level of income, has a proportion of 16% of graduates, placing the country in a position similar to Switzerland, United States and Italy among other countries with more relative development.

Regarding degree courses selected by students, Argentina shows 18% graduates in Education and 36% graduates in Social Sciences, Business and Law, similar to some countries with higher levels of GDP per capita.

University graduates in Sciences, in the group of selected countries, present graduation rates which are independent from their levels of income per capita. Argentina only reaches 7% of graduates in sciences, even though the level of industrial development and innovation needs would require a larger effort in the area.