Part I The idea of a compact: realizing a compact for higher education; British higher education - compacts or contracts?. Part II The political economy of a compact: quality assurance - champion or servant of the Dearing compact?; regulating the masses - quality and equality in higher education; a compact for higher education - a case study of the Thames gateway; understanding today and shaping tomorrow - the proper role of university research in the social sciences, but under siege-towards a compact for social sciences research; the virtual university. Part III Towards a compact for inclusivity: what kind of place is this? cultures of learning, student identities, and the process of disqualification in British higher education; equality, inclusion and higher education (HE) for students with disabilities; still on the margins - towards a compact between higher education and the lower socioeconomic constituencies in Britain. Part IV Contributions towards a compact - perspectives from the consumers: prospects for a compact with the learning and skills council; students learn to adapt; the rise of the student-worker; higher education - strategy and perspectives, the contribution of the National Association of Teacher in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) to a compact; higher education in the knowledge age.