The purpose of this paper is to consider how a small Catholic institute of higher education (HE) attempts to balance the broad demands of globalisation with the need to adhere to, promote and develop its foundation as a Catholic college. The paper begins with a consideration of the changes which have taken place in HE in the UK over the past 50 years and goes on to consider the response of the Church to this with regard to "Ex Corde Ecclesiae". Using an interpretive research paradigm, a threefold data collection was conducted in the case study institution. Data emerged from: observation; documentary analysis; and interviews. Despite the obvious limitations of the study, the data indicated that the Catholic ethos is clearly evident in the day-to-day practice of the college and is central to its success both as a Catholic institution and as a key provider of higher learning.