During the last two decades, universities in the United Kingdom and elsewhere have been under pressure to deliver value for money - the word, "quality", has become political shorthand for what is required. This book examines what quality actually is. Goodlad asks: why is it so difficult to define quality?; what are the key issues that should be addressed?; and what action can and should be taken in the absence of any agreed definition of quality? In exploring these questions, Goodlad examines issues concerning the basics of higher education (curriculum, teaching methods, research, college organization) and offers examples and case studies. Throughout, his notion of "heresies" offers opportunity for discussion wherever the aims, purposes and practices of higher education are being examined.