The 'university' has been around for centuries, and yet the majority of British Universities have yet to reach their 50th birthdays. The higher education sector has been through extensive change over a relatively short period of time, and will continue to do so as the future requires it. This thesis briefly maps the residual and dominant models of the university before examining the emergent model and drawing out a future model. While much of the history is based in Britain, the emergent and future models draw on examples from all around the world. Essentially the future model of the university will have three core elements. It will be corporate, global, and virtual. Each of these is examined in detail in the thesis, and thought is also given to the potential impact of these developments on academics within universities and potential future students. The models presented here may cause concern and some resistance in the higher education community. It is hoped that they will stimulate debate and action regarding the future, rather than encouraging people to stand their ground and defend the dominant or residual models. The emergent model is already upon us. The future model is there for us to shape.