Abstract

This paper begins by showing that there are considerable levels of ignorance and complacency in the UK with regard to the Bologna process. It goes on to illustrate how the characteristics of the UK higher education system are likely to increase the likelihood of a large "implementation gap" between Bologna policy-makers' expectations and outcomes on the ground. Both policy sociology theory and examples of previous policy trajectories are used to substantiate that argument. Finally it is suggested that the Bologna process itself is less "joined up" than at first might be thought to be the case and that this too is likely to result in unexpected outcomes across the European "higher education space".