ABSTRACT
During the period we consider in this book the expenditure of universities expanded consistently, from £4•4 m. in 1920 to £6•6 m. in 1930, to £8•2 m. in 1940, to £23•0 m. in 1950 and to £33•9 m. in 1955. In contrast to almost every other form of educational activity not even the most severe years of depression marked a declining rate of growth. Two main elements may be discovered as the causes of the expansion. The first is the rise in the number of students, both undergraduate and post-graduate. The second is the expansion of research, particularly of scientific research, which is considerably more costly than any other. The result is that the cost per pupil has risen disproportionately to the direct costs of teaching. The significance of this rise is seen in the column for departmental maintenance which includes the cost of running the scientific laboratories of the universities; it is seen, too, in the column of administrative expenditure which includes the salaries of the large number of typists, secretaries and other administrative staffs needed to deal with this increased activity.
