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The doctrine of university autonomy in the UK contains a least two major "fault-lines" where the structure is inherently weak and there is danger of functional breakdown. The first occurs at the junction between the institution and the state, the second within the institution, where the unity in policy-making between academic and financial-and-managerial decision-making, which must underpin any definition of autonomy as the right to run its own affairs, often proves to be illusory and conflict may emerge. This article examines recent indicators of the strains which may be glimpsed at each of these fault-lines with particular reference to the London Metropolitan case and the emerging problems at the chartered University of Sussex.

The need for reform of university governance has recently come into question with a series of high profile examples of the apparent failure of the standard "sector norm" model among the post-1992 universities, at London Metropolitan, Leeds Metropolitan and East London Universities. This article takes forward the discussion in two previous (Evans, 2008, 2009). The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education and the Committee of University Chairmen have produced reports and recommendations seeking to make the present model work better. The article examines the genesis of this model and its emerging shortcomings. It considers the implications of trends towards the diminution of student and academic staff participation and the results of Government initiatives, and suggests that a more radical review is needed.