Current trends in the United Kingdom

This paper surveys developments in Higher Education in the United Kingdom since the publication of the White Paper in December 1992. It considers in particular: (1) the progress made in the reorganisation of the public sector of Higher Education, in particular of the Colleges of Education; (2) the extent to which the pressure of student demand is slackening, with consequent reduction in the rates of growth envisaged in the White Paper; (3) the tendency for women to form a larger proportion of the applicants and of those admitted, both in arts-based and science-based courses; (4) the immediate financial problems faced by universities and other institutions as a consequence of inflation.This article by Sir Derman Christopherson is the second in a series of reviews of developments in different parts of the world. The next issue will include a review of developments in Japan.—Ed.