This textbook provides students with a comprehensive overview of the economics of education, introducing and consolidating core topics, current research and practical methodologies in the field. The textbook focuses throughout on the impact of education economics on policy making, helping students understand the real-world impact of economic theory on public policy. With a wealth of learning features including case studies, worked examples, exercises and further reading lists, it provides a thorough picture of the economics of education systems globally. Chapters cover a range of topics, from class size to the impact of family and peers on education, as well as exploring unique educational stages such as pre-school and vocational training, access to university, and cross-cutting issues such as educational inequalities and the role of gender in education. Going beyond simply an economics approach by also introducing perspectives from psychology and sociology, the textbook offers students a holistic grasp of the themes and issues that resonate with educational communities. At the same time, it equips students to carry out accurate methodological research, encompassing randomized controlled trials, empirical studies and accessible databases. This book will be essential reading for students in economics and the social sciences more broadly, as well as policy-makers and educators.
