Culture of HE in FE - exclave or enclave?

This paper explores the concept of culture within Further Education Colleges (FECs) from the perceptions of 26 lecturers delivering Business Higher Education Programmes (BHEPs). It offers a brief overview of the history of both Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) in England, and how they have evolved. This then will provide an understanding of the perceived/real differences between FE and HE culture, and whether these two cultures can merge together, or will become 'hybrids,' as suggested by Parry and Thompson. The study will in fact show that the culture of HE in FE (in England) is similar to that of an 'Exclave,' but is developing within this, a culture which might be viewed as an 'Enclave.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]