The paper highlights the major expansion of HE during the late 1980s and early 1990s, when growth was concentrated on the full-time three year bachelor degree, and during which time, uptake of sub-degree provision decreased, and most markedly, that provided (under franchise) by FE colleges.  However, the role of colleges in both providing HE and as a qualifying route into HE is recognised.

From the late 1990s policy aim has been to pursue growth (50% by 2010) in short-cycle vocational HE, within which, FE colleges have a key role in delivery.  This ‘experiment’ forms the main discussion of the paper and four significant specific policy ‘episodes’ are identified and reviewed

- the national inquiry into higher education (1997)
- the development of a new qualification
- the structured partnership between colleges and universities
- investment in vocational progression and employer-led

The paper concludes with a consideration of whether recent government strategic aims have been met and how policy may develop in the medium and long term.

This paper was presented at the Third International Workshop on Reforms in Higher Education, University of Tuskuba, Toyko, Japan, Sep/Oct 2006.

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