Overview

Universities have a crucial role in the modern world. In England, entrance to universities is by nation-wide competition which means English universities have an exceptional influence on schools--a striking theme of the book. This important book first investigates the university as an institution and then tracks the individual on their journey to and through university. In A University Education, David Willetts presents a compelling case for the ongoing importance of the university, both as one of the great institutions of modern society and as a transformational experience for the individual. The book also makes illuminating comparisons with higher education in other countries, especially the US and Germany. Drawing on his experience as UK Minister for Universities and Science from 2010 to 2014, the author offers a powerful account of the value of higher education and the case for more expansion. He covers controversial issues in which he was involved from access for disadvantaged students to the introduction of £9,000 fees. The final section addresses some of the big questions for the future, such as the the relationship between universities and business, especially in promoting innovation.. He argues that the two great contemporary trends of globalisation and technological innovation will both change the university significantly. This is an authoritative account of English universities setting them for the first time in their new legal and regulatory framework.

Full Product Details

Author:   David Willetts (Visiting Professor, King's College, London)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 16.40cm , Height: 3.60cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.636kg
ISBN:  

9780198835127

ISBN 10:   0198835124
Pages:   496
Publication Date:   25 April 2019
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

Introduction I. The University 1: The Rise of the University 2: Robbins and After 3: How to Pay for It 4: The Research-Intensive University II. The Student 5: Why it's Worth Going to University 6: Which Three Years? 7: Getting in to University 8: The Student Academic Experience III. The Useful University 9: Vocational Higher Education 10: Driver of Innovation 11: The University in the Marketplace IV. The Future 12: Where: Globalization 13: How: EdTech 14: What: A Broader Education Conclusion

Reviews

His book charts the rise of the modern university and is filled with bold ideas. * Harry Yorke, The Sunday Telegraph * This is an important book. providing a large-scale, wide-ranging argument across history and across the present There are two strands: a commentary on current issues, and a larger long-term agenda - the role of Higher Education in the world. * Professor Simon Marginson, Director of the Centre for Global Higher Education, UCL, and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Higher Education. * Powerful, interesting, and important. A very good read, and full of wisdom. * Sir Michael Barber * I don't think I have read anything better on British universities and their international competition. * Chris Patten, Chancellor, University of Oxford * This is an excellent book. * Nigel Thrift, Times Higher Education * Policy enthusiasts will find these descriptions, and meticulous analysis of research funding systems, invaluable. * Miranda Green, Financial Times * Willetts's consistently thoughtful approach to higher education has earned him the respect even of his political opponents. Academics and students out of sympathy with his reforms will need to read his book and engage with his arguments if they are to build a case to challenge them. * Stephen Curry, The Guardian * Blending serious scholarship with reflections on his time as a minister, it's a tour-de-force by a politician who starts with a confession: I love universities . * James Wilsdon, The Guardian, Favourite reads of 2017 - as chosen by scientists * It mixes killer historical facts and sharp policiy analysis (including some criticisms of the coalition government) with bold predictions for the future. Most readers will learn something new on every page. * Nick Hillman, The Guardian * Magisterial study. * Barbara Kiser, Nature * Meticulously researched and incredibly detailed. * Andy Westwood, HEPI * It's an invaluable guide for anyone who wants to understand the modern university system, both here and abroad. * Roger Mosey, Reaction * A reader may wish for a more thorough investigation of potential solutions to these problems. But A University Education is nevertheless an admirably clear analysis of English higher education. To its credit, it is an inversion of most writing about English universities, which tends to be laudatory of the Oxbridge model and unduly sceptical of others. Lord Willetts's book is all the more interesting for it. * Economist * A masterly exploration of the modern higher education institution... Willetts has provided us with a text for our times. * Matthew D'Ancona, Evening Standard * Peppered with entertaining and enlightening asides and illustrations... a treasure-house. * Kevin Stannard, Conference and Common Room * An ex-minster's love letter to universities offers an optimistic verdict. * Howard Davies, Prospect * A brilliant book, and one anyone interested in higher education should read even if they blame its author for being one of the architects of the current English funding system. This book is enough to make you wish David Willetts were still the universities minister because - and surely even people who disagree with him recognise this - he loves and cherishes them, and wants more of our young people from all backgrounds to be able to get the higher education they want and that will serve them well. * Diana Coyle, www.enlightenmenteconomics.com * This is one of the few books that everyone interested in education - and not just higher education - should have a copy of... This book is excellent. Well researched and intelligently argued, it is an authoritative account of English universities setting them in their historical, legal and regulatory framework... It deserves to be widely read by anyone with an interest in education. * Education Journal * Excellent book. * Education Journal * Thought provoking book. * Nigel Wilson, The Telegraph *

Author Information

David Willetts was Minister for Universities and Science in the Coalition Government. He is now a Visiting Professor at King's College London and a member of the House of Lords. He served as an official in HM Treasury and in Margaret Thatcher's No 10 Policy Unit. He has written widely on economic and social policy. His previous book was The Pinch, How the Baby Boomers took Their Children's Future--And Why They Should Give it Back (2011). He is executive Chair of the Resolution Foundation. He is Senior Adviser to the American ed tech company 2U, an Honorary Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford, an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Society, and Chancellor of Leicester University.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions