Wanna argument? - Funding UK Higher Education: From Elitism to Mass Market

Wanna Argument?

Funding UK Higher Education: From Elitism to Mass Market

How does the UK's commitment to HE compare internationally?

Country % GDP spent on HE HE students as % of 18-34 yr olds
United States 2.7 16.2
Switzerland 1.1 8.0
Canada 2.0 16.9
Sweden 1.7 9.9
Australia 1.7 14.9
Japan 1.1 N/A
Norway 1.4 13.4
Austria 1.5 9.7
Netherlands 1.2 10.7
Germany 1.1 9.4
New Zealand N/A 12.6
UK 1.0 9.4
France 1.2 13.9
Korea 2.5 13.7

Source: OECD Education at a Glance 2003

This table shows that the UK performs fairly badly on HE participation rates and levels of national income devoted to higher education, when compared to many of our international competitors.

A happy bride.

Imagine a time when this was the zenith of young women's ambitions. © iStock.com

How has the UK's participation rate in higher education changed over the years?

Year Participation rate % Description of system
1960 5 Elite
Late 1980s 14 Medium
2000 30 Mass

The changes affecting the UK's HE system in the past 40 years can be seen in this table. Where once only the very top echelon of students attended university, today higher education appears to be a realistic option for many sixth form students. A mass system of HE means that universities are put under pressure to accommodate as well as educate many more students each year. It also means that students will be drawn from different socio-economic groups than was previously the case.

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