How Far Did Access to University Education Improve, 1918-1979?

Question 1

Limited Progress, 1918-1939

Increased Gov Involvement

Answer 1

Partial nationalisation- from 1918 universities directly funded by government
Increased funding + scrutiny, about a third of running costs covered
But not central part of gov policy

Question 2

Limited Progress, 1918-1939

Limited Attendance

Answer 2

1900, only 20,000 attended uni, by 1939 still only 38,000- less than 2% of students
Oxbridge educated a quarter of students in 1939
Focus on Classics, History, Latin, and Science- narrow range, failure to prepare students for needed professions

Question 3

Limited Progress, 1918-1939

Elitism

Answer 3

Some new unis- Reading, Nottingham, Southampton- with broader range
Remained preserve of the elite, most students didn’t receive necessary qualifications for uni, grammar school remained main route, most couldn’t afford fees

Question 4

Significant Progress, 1945-1979

Percy and Barlow Reports (1945 + 46)

Answer 4

Urgent need for STEM students, modernisation, and expansion of number of uni places

Question 5

Significant Progress, 1945-1979

Percy and Barlow Reports- Response

Answer 5

Attlee gov adopted recommendations- extra gov funding for new unis (Nottingham and Exeter) with focus on STEM

Question 6

Significant Progress, 1945-1979

Robbins Report (1961)

Answer 6

Recommended university places must increase five-fold by 1980, and access should be a universal right for those wishing to attend

Question 7

Significant Progress, 1945-1979

Robbins Report- Impact

Answer 7

Led to Education Act (1962)- grants for those wishing to attend uni and funding for expansion
11 new plate-glass universities by 1970, including Kent and York

Question 8

Significant Progress, 1945-1979

Wilson

Answer 8

Investement in HE despite economi decline
Creation of Open University (Jenny Lee) in 1969, distance learning and aimed at adults

Question 9

Significant Progress, 1945-1979

Heath

Answer 9

Thatcher persuaded him not to cancel the OU
She increased grants to students by 40% and provided funding totalling over £150m to construct 60 universities and 33 polytechnics (e.g Oxford-Brookes, Bath Spa)

Question 10

Remaining Problems by 1979

International Comparisons

Answer 10

Number of students in HE still lower than other advanced nations

Question 11

Remaining Problems by 1979

Class Divides

Answer 11

Polytechnics seen as inferior
Working class students under 5% of Oxbridge graduates, private school pupils over-represented at top unis (esp Eton + Harrow)
University prohibitively expensive

Question 12

Remaining Problems by 1979

Gender Divides

Answer 12

Female students lagged behind male- only 13% of Oxbridge students female in the 1960s + 1970s