This statement on the British higher education system is part of the International Council for Educational Devleopment's study of the design, management, and effectiveness of higher education systems in 12 countries. In this report, institutions in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are considered. Part one defines higher education and details the nature and scope of the major institutions in Britain. Part two takes up themes begun in the first part and discusses the planning, governance, and management of the system and institutions. Part three examines the alleged purposes of higher education in Britain and seeks to identify its main functions; it also explores how responsive the various types of institutions are to change. (MSE)