Admission policies and procedures in higher education institutions in East and West Europe were studied based on responses to a 1977 questionnaire sent to European countries and through additional study. The following topics are addressed: definitions of terms related to problems of access to postsecondary education; quantitative trends; admission policies; admission procedures; the new student clientele; and problems of access, including career information and guidance available to students, and foreign students in European higher education institutions. In almost all the countries of the Europe region, admission policies are endeavoring to maintain the results of the growth in the 1960s, but to maintain this growth at a slightly slower pace. Admission policies, while remaining policies of growth, are generally selective and restrictive because of the increased numbers of qualified secondary school students. Admission of new clientele, or those who have not necessarily completed the traditional secondary education and/or who wish to continue education while working, creates a balance in relation to the selective admissions policies. Selective admission occurs because of a lack of resources or a shortage of employment opportunities, or a combination of the two factors. Attention is directed to entrance examinations and competitions; selection based on secondary school performance; selection based on geographical or social background, which allows sociological and political objectives to be considered; and selection by lottery. A questionnaire is appended. (SW)