Small is ugly?
The notion that large universities are better, or at least more sustainable, is remarkably durable. It has been at the heart of the debate on Irish higher education reform, and has now been called into action by the Director-Gebneral of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Speaking at a fringe meeting at the UK Labour Party conference, Mr John Cridland suggested that ‘smaller UK universities at the margins may risk closure.’ According to the Guardian newspaper (which organised the event), he added:
‘We are probably going to move into a period of consolidation – there are too many universities for our capacity to cope with them being separate.’
As we know, this is not a unique view, but it manages to stay in circulation without the burden of too much evidence in its support. The university rated the world’s number one in the Times Higher global rankings, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), is also a rather small institution, with fewer than 3,000 students; it most certainly is neither ‘at the margins’ nor at risk of closing. By way of contrast, some of the largest universities in terms of student numbers are quite low in the league tables.
The sustainability of a university has very little to do with size. It is however connected with quality, clarity of mission, robustness and adequacy of resources, and an ability to engage strongly with students and other stakeholders. It is of course right, as Mr Cridland also suggested, that universities collaborate and engage with each other, but this is so regardless of size.
The debate about the future of higher education is an important one. It should not however be obscured by the introduction of arguments that have no real evidence base.
Explore posts in the same categories: universityTags: John Cridland, university size
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
University Blog 
September 27, 2013 at 6:35 am
There are a few issues running here. If all things are equal a degree in study ‘a’ is the same regardless how large the institution. Is this the case ?. Are larger institutions designed to produce the current crop of while the smaller the manager.
September 27, 2013 at 12:02 pm
With reference to the debate on the future of HE readers of this blog might be intrrested in this post http://monitor.icef.com/2013/09/goodbye-university-revolution-vs-evolution-of-the-current-education-model/
September 27, 2013 at 6:21 pm
THE reports under: “CBI head John Cridland: country has ‘too many’ universities “
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/cbi-head-john-cridland-country-has-too-many-universities/2007619.article
“Mr Cridland added that he did not want to see a fall in overall student numbers. But some institutions are “a little bit too small” and are vulnerable to falls in recruitment from overseas, he told the event, hosted by Universities UK, GuildHE, the University Alliance, the 1994 Group, the Quality Assurance Agency and the National Union of Students”
He did not particularly focus on these minnows, but within the overall context of too many universities in post92 and new universities’ umbrella which trawl for “students” all over the third world, but cannot get enough “students” who can sit in classrooms for three years ( let alone study!) without getting out fast to look any jobs-their sole purpose of arrival here.
As expected the Million+ crowd spokesperson was incensed, defending their “also ran” institutions! Also, not surprisingly the Guardianistas attending the Labour conference were not amused too!