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Until the 1960’s, the university was a post-school Mecca to the intelligent and the wealthy, with a relatively small number of institutions forming the core contingent of higher education. In a drive toward higher education in the 60's, many smaller institutions offering academic and vocational subjects were created - not strictly universities, but still falling under the category of higher education.
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These smaller colleges were called polytechnics. The distinction between these colleges and the traditional universities was as much a matter of class as of practical differences. Essentially, a polytechnic was often less focused on research and more centred around vocational training. They lacked offical degree-awarding powers, although qualifications would be validated by the Council for National Academic Awards. This led many to view polytechnic qualifications as a step down from those achieved at a university, although the two forms of degree were considered equal. |
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The Conservative governments that preceded Blair saw the division - known as the 'binary divide' - to be unnessecary and convoluted. In 1992, the Further and Higher Education Act legislated, among other things, that polytechnic's could apply to hold the title 'university'.
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Since then, hundreds of 'new universities' have emerged, so students are shopping for their higher education from a huge range of institutions. The following section, 'Does Britain need talent?', explores some of the effects that this change has had on the graduates going through our higher education system. |
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