The British Educational System at the Crossroads

Abstract

The British universities as institutions in modern society seem to have shown considerable durability. They have tried to maintain key elements of the historical models from which they have evolved over many centuries. However, they have not been completely successful in serving the needs of society. There has been significant pressure on both ideas and institutional patterns and practices in UK higher education over the last 20 years. This has been due in part of the influence of the binary system after the Robbins Report. Despite remarkable institutional stability over time, British universities have significantly changed and have been subjected to immense pressures in the post-Second World War period. Many have claimed that the universities are irresponsible because they use public funds and do not always conform to the direct needs of industry and government. Pressure from governmental authorities and external constituencies have all placed great strains on academic institutions.