Lights and Shadows of the English University System

This presentation examines the English university system. The first section outlines the major university reforms that took place during the 1990s, initially implemented by Conservative governments and later by Labour governments. The second section focuses on the governance system at both national and local levels, as well as the relationships between the center and the periphery, highlighting how the historical autonomy of English universities has evolved over time. The third section discusses the current evaluation criteria for teaching and research in England. Finally, the conclusion addresses the key challenges that emerged from the analysis. The aim of this presentation is to illustrate the changes that have occurred in higher education in England. These changes are largely driven by two main trends: the increasing market-oriented approach of universities and the adoption of evaluation systems and criteria inspired by New Public Management.