ABSTRACT
Before Robbins, the typical UK degree was an undifferentiated ‘linear lump’, taken full-time, in regulated sequence, and with choice confined to specialist subjects or options. Post-Robbins, and in line with his injunctions on breadth and interdisciplinarity, new subjects, combinations and pedagogical techniques became possible, as in the vogue within the new universities for combined honours degrees. Part-time study possibilities (with the honourable exception of ‘liberal adult’ and ‘extension’ courses discussed in chapter 8) did not really begin until the advent of the Open University in 1970. Post-Baker (if we are to believe institutional and sectoral propaganda), modularity, semesterization and the widespread adoption of credit accumulation and transfer schemes (CATs) have opened up a new world of portable credit, intermediate qualifications, and potential mixed-mode study.
