A University Education

Thought provoking book. * Nigel Wilson, The Telegraph *
This is one of the few books that everyone interested in education -- and not just higher education -- should have a copy of... This book is excellent. Well researched and intelligently argued, it is an authoritative account of English universities setting them in their historical, legal and regulatory framework... It deserves to be widely read by anyone with an interest in education. * Education Journal *
A brilliant book, and one anyone interested in higher education should read even if they blame its author for being one of the architects of the current English funding system. This book is enough to make you wish David Willetts were still the universities minister because - and surely even people who disagree with him recognise this - he loves and cherishes them, and wants more of our young people from all backgrounds to be able to get the higher education they want and that will serve them well. * Diane Coyle, www.enlightenmenteconomics.com *
An ex-minster's love letter to universities offers an optimistic verdict. * Howard Davies, Prospect *
Peppered with entertaining and enlightening asides and illustrations... a treasure-house. * Kevin Stannard, Conference and Common Room *
A masterly exploration of the modern higher education institution... Willetts has provided us with a text for our times. * Matthew D'Ancona, Evening Standard *
A reader may wish for a more thorough investigation of potential solutions to these problems. But A University Education is nevertheless an admirably clear analysis of English higher education. To its credit, it is an inversion of most writing about English universities, which tends to be laudatory of the Oxbridge model and unduly sceptical of others. Lord Willetts's book is all the more interesting for it. * Economist *
It's an invaluable guide for anyone who wants to understand the modern university system, both here and abroad. * Roger Mosey, Reaction *
Meticulously researched and incredibly detailed. * Andy Westwood, HEPI *
Magisterial study. * Barbara Kiser, Nature *
It mixes killer historical facts and sharp policiy analysis (including some criticisms of the coalition government) with bold predictions for the future. Most readers will learn something new on every page. * Nick Hillman, The Guardian *
Blending serious scholarship with reflections on his time as a minister, it's a tour-de-force by a politician who starts with a confession: "I love universities". * James Wilsdon, The Guardian, Favourite reads of 2017 - as chosen by scientists *
Willetts's consistently thoughtful approach to higher education has earned him the respect even of his political opponents. Academics and students out of sympathy with his reforms will need to read his book and engage with his arguments if they are to build a case to challenge them. * Stephen Curry, The Guardian *
Policy enthusiasts will find these descriptions, and meticulous analysis of research funding systems, invaluable. * Miranda Green, Financial Times *
This is an excellent book. * Nigel Thrift, Times Higher Education *
A super writer, as you would expect, Willetts has a real gift for eye-catching phrases and incisive analysis. His successors in government would do well to read his book - as would vice-chancellors. * Dennis Richards, Church Times *
I don't think I have read anything better on British universities and their international competition. * Chris Patten, Chancellor, University of Oxford *
Powerful, interesting, and important. A very good read, and full of wisdom. * Sir Michael Barber *
This is an important book. providing a large-scale, wide-ranging argument across history and across the present There are two strands: a commentary on current issues, and a larger long-term agenda - the role of Higher Education in the world. * Professor Simon Marginson, Director of the Centre for Global Higher Education, UCL, and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Higher Education. *
His book charts the rise of the modern university and is filled with bold ideas. * Harry Yorke, The Sunday Telegraph *