Education for life? : Quantifying the factors behind students' choice of HE

Purpose – Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Higher education in the UK has changed considerably in the ten years since Tony Blair's government removed free tuition. The need for students to pay their way through college or university has resulted in a subtle shift in the primary role that higher‐education (HE) institutions play, from a more academic to a more utilitarian function. Sixth‐form pupils must increasingly weigh up the practical value of their further education, in terms of potential employment and functional skill‐sets for a competitive job‐market. Practical implications – Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.