Perspective Chapter: Reflections on the Future of Higher Education in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The problems being faced in the UK university sector are considered, how these problems have arisen, what needs to be done about them, and, how the future of the UK’s knowledge economy will be influenced by the strategies currently being implemented by the UK government. This is done by revisiting some examples of problems from the past, and how they were solved. It is undertaken using a framework that is characterised by the following fundamental issues: (i) educational philosophies; (ii) ethics in educational provision; (iii) knowledge economies, and; (iv) the goals of education. In this context, the chapter discusses the evolving, and necessary connectivity, between government, education and industry - the so-called ‘Triple Helix Concept’. This is coupled with a discussion on the future of Higher Education in terms of the underlying strategy of the UK government, which reflects the new age of the ‘Technological College’ that the UK is now entering.