Book excerpt: How have the issues facing universities changed since 1945? What has the expansion of higher education meant for universities in the UK? What has changed and what has remained familiar over the period? Essential reading for all higher education policy makers, managers, administrators and academics, this book provides an authoritative account of the development of higher education in the UK since 1945. The changes in the system have been far-reaching and numerous, affecting a wide range of people beyond those who work or study in universities or colleges, including parents, employers and policy makers. This book takes both chronological and thematic approaches. The opening chapters of the book provide: An overview of the history of higher education in the UK up until 1945 A detailed tabular summary of post-war higher education developments A list of current UK universities and their origins Key statistics on students The book also considers key themes in the story of UK higher education in the post-war period, including: Policy and funding Institutional diversity Institutional management and relationships Course design Research and knowledge The student experience The staff experience Only a thorough understanding of the background to the present day realities of higher education will enable lessons to be learned for the future of higher education in the UK.