Robbins principle

proper noun

The idea that university places should be available to everybody who qualifies for them by ability and attainment.

Meanings

proper nounthe Robbins principle
  1. UKeducationThe idea that university places should be available to everybody who qualifies for them by ability and attainment.

Origin

From its appearance in the 1963 Robbins Report from the Committee on Higher Education, chaired by Lord Robbins.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Robbins principle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Robbins%20principle

MLA

“Robbins principle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Robbins%20principle. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Robbins principle,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Robbins%20principle.

Source: Robbins principle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.