Universities and Markets
Universities and Markets
(I) Historical Background and Contemporary Context
Much of the opposition to the politically-driven introduction of market forces as a driver of change in higher education assumes that this is a recent development. This chapter argues to the contrary. It illustrates how the ancient collegiate universities and the nineteenth century civics were dependent upon student fees, private benefactors, and endowment income. Moreover, both models embraced vocational ends: Oxbridge serving the interests of the Anglican Church and the civics educating lawyers and medics, with many a course linked to local commercial interests. Between 1945 and 1976, the universities enjoyed the benevolence of public funding; thereafter parsimony has been the rule thanks to periodic economic crises and the funding pressures generated by mass higher education. The recent lurch towards private funding, along with a shift towards vocationally-oriented degrees, and the decline of academic authority needs to be evaluated in relation to this historical context rather than the ‘halcyon days’.
Keywords: fees, vocational education, economic austerity, golden interlude, civic universities, medieval legacy, HE markets
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