TQM and the transformation from an élite to a mass system of higher education in the UK

Higher education in the UK has been subject to extensive changes. Government policy has stressed the need for an increase in student numbers. Discusses the changes needed in degree course management to create a system which is sufficiently flexible and efficient to cope with more students without loss of quality. Applies the theory of total quality management to higher education, indicating the need to treat degree courses as continuous production systems, rather than batch runs with standardized components and early detection of faults (unlearned work) to reduce quality costs (student failures and exam resits). Proposes that the US higher education system should be used as a model for the UK.