Has the Federation a Future? The Case of the University of London

The University of London is of great historical importance. A number of universities abroad have developed under its aegis, and it is academically pre-eminent in many fields, notably medicine. In recent times, however, especially from the 1980s onwards, its federal structure has come under severe strain, and the role of the administrative centre has been extensively analysed both internally and externally by various committees and working parties. Some colleges have sought and been granted 'indicated funding' from the Funding Council, a move which gives them greater independence and reduces the planning functions of the centre. Major changes have been introduced in forms of governance, and the concept of an internal market is being used to regulate the relationship betwen the centre and the federal components. It remains open to question whether or not all these changes will permit the federation to survive.