Brazilian Higher Education under Examination: A Critical and Analytical Review

Abstract

Higher education in Brazil has undergone intense transformations, driven by public policies, expansion of the private sector and challenges in regulating the quality of teaching. This article carries out a theoretical review on the evolution of higher education in the country, addressing the impacts of commercialization, the assessment of academic quality and inequalities in access to universities. The research discusses the role of the National Higher Education Assessment System (SINAES) and analyzes student financing policies, such as FIES and PROUNI. Furthermore, it examines the challenges of university autonomy, the impacts of quota policies and the effects of student debt on academic retention. The results point to the need to improve educational policies, both in regulating higher education and in promoting equity and academic quality. The study highlights that, although programs such as PROUNI and FIES have significantly expanded access to higher education, their structure needs to be reviewed to avoid precarious teaching and excessive student debt. Furthermore, the growing influence of private conglomerates raises questions about the standardization of curricula and the loss of academic diversity. Given this scenario, this article concludes that the consolidation of quality higher education in Brazil depends on the implementation of public policies that balance sector growth with effective regulation and financing mechanisms. The search for more inclusive, sustainable education and aligned with the demands of the job market and academic research is essential for national development.