This book investigates the systemic shift in United Kingdom higher education toward a market-oriented model that redefines the student as a consumer and the university as a commercial entity. The authors, Elizabeth Nixon, Mike Molesworth, and Richard Scullion, draw upon academic research and policy analysis to examine the consequences of this transformation. They argue that government funding cuts and increased competition have forced institutions to adopt corporate management strategies, fundamentally altering the relationship between educators and students. The text provides a critical framework for understanding how these market pressures influence university branding, mission statements, and the overall quality of academic life.

Experts and academics in the field of education policy frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the commercialization of universities. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous critique of contemporary administrative practices in higher education.