A systemic perspective on higher education in the United Kingdom

A conceptualisation of higher education (HE) in the UK from a systemic perspective is introduced and discussed briefly. This conceptualisation suggests system levels and stakeholder sets for each level. Design approaches to systems design (design of design systems) are noted briefly as possible alternatives to systems engineering in addressing the problem field. Questions are then raised that the various groups of stakeholders might wish to debate about design of HE in the UK. These questions have political connotations. Some examples of system descriptions are suggested as preliminary hypotheses for answering these questions and some empirical evidence for the validity of the descriptions is offered. Systemic interactions within HE in the UK influencing potential solutions to some of its problems are discussed in terms of effectiveness and efficiency rather than ideology. The ramifications of some of these problems are explored; the argument returns to the need to resolve ideological issues before solutions to the problems can be attempted. The paper hopes to open debate, to stimulate development of some of the ideas presented and to initiate research collaborations.