Amid warnings that demographic change will lead to a shortage of students for universities, Universities UK has commissioned a major new research project on the sector's future size and shape.
Sir Muir Russell, chair of the project's steering group, said:
"This is an important, far-reaching piece of work which we believe will help the sector set the future policy agenda, as well as assist individual universities with their strategic planning."
The first stages of the project will be reported this summer and the final findings will be presented next year.