ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the principal changes and developments, and their impact on education and training. The passing of Acts in 1992 abolished the 'binary line' between the universities and the polytechnics and colleges, and established a unitary system of higher education. The establishment of the 'new' universities created a more diverse research profile amongst higher education institutions. Many of the new universities had not previously had the strong commitment to research that characterized virtually all of the 'old' universities. Further education (FE) colleges were at the heart of vocational education and training, offering courses in full-time, part-time, day release and evening class mode. FE colleges also offered an alternative route into higher education for those who had originally been unsuccessful in the school system. The government set ambitious targets for education and training to be achieved by 2000, highlighting particularly the role of technology in learning.
