News

One of the classic images of the frozen North, Sir Edwin Landseer's Man Proposes, God Disposes was first exhibited in 1864 and praised for its "tragic grandeur".

Research will be focused in just 25 universities by 2025 as the UK sector becomes increasingly stratified, higher education experts have predicted.

Universities object as technology colleges align to bid for a status upgrade. Jon Marcus reports

UK’s future prosperity ‘relies on boosting the quality of master’s and PhD research’. Paul Jump reports

Lack of enrolment caps could leave many out of work, warns student group. Elizabeth Gibney writes

The system of examination for PhDs in the UK is a “scandal”, a conference on postgraduate issues heard last week.

Better marketing, a stronger presence within core curricula and even "Bumps and Babies" groups were among the "future strategies for university and college libraries" explored last week at a conference in London.

Analysis with revised data and modelling points to 'serious' consequences ahead. John Morgan writes

Professor says he was suspended by Sheffield for mentioning a touchy subject. Paul Jump writes

Faithful concertgoers prove age has not withered rock's maternal flame, Matthew Reisz hears

Universities dismiss Michael Gove's call for them to take charge of examinations, reports Jack Grove

Minister discusses licence retraction and backs hard line according to UKBA. Chris Parr reports

The University of Texas system plans to offer degree credits for courses completed through the edX online-learning platform and charge for such courses - offering a potential new direction in the delivery of massive open online courses (Moocs).

London Met scales back shared services project amid financial uncertainty. John Morgan reports

Details of how much money individual universities spend on research and teaching could be made public under proposals designed to create transparency in institutions' reporting of the costs of their activities.

Institutions with private equity links must face enhanced audits, says UCU. John Morgan writes

Applications to medical schools, veterinary courses and Oxbridge have increased by 2 per cent compared with last year.

The University and College Union has condemned the appearance of another advert for an "honorary" research position.

Robin Baker has resigned as vice-chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University with immediate effect, the university has confirmed.

The government has removed permission for private Guildhall College to access to the publicly-funded student loans system, after complaints from its students.

There is a "strong case" for a limited state-backed student loan scheme to be introduced for master's degree students, the Higher Education Commission has concluded.

By Scott Jaschik, for Inside Higher Ed

More than 40 scientific organisations, including 15 universities, have pledged to be more open about the animal research they carry out in the wake of an opinion poll indicating declining public support for the use of animals in research.

Students should be able to transfer from less selective universities to research intensive institutions as "common practice", according to Lord Rees, the Astronomer Royal.

The government’s education policies spread ignorance, not privilege, the general secretary of the University and College Union will tell an anti-austerity demonstration today.

London Metropolitan University has halted plans to outsource its support services after losing its licence to recruit overseas students.

Amidst warp drives, transporters and phasers there is one Star Trek technology that is close to becoming real – and organisers of the US-based X prize want UK researchers to make it happen.

Conference considers reasons for 10 per cent drop in HE in FE numbers. David Matthews writes

Lords call for more study abroad

Take Mooc claims with a pinch of salt, manager advises technology conference. Chris Parr reports

Will Obama-Romney race end in higher education cuts regardless of victor? Elizabeth Gibney writes

MP and historian Tristram Hunt tells John Morgan about reviving lost skills and improving teaching

Family ties are a big influence on which location people choose for study. Julie Hare reports

Elizabeth Gibney meets the left-wing Chilean youth leader with a message for European students

But losing the owls from university brands may not be such a wise move. Matthew Reisz reports

Global survey shows how alma maters can connect with MBA crowd. David Matthews reports

Roehampton director calls for bonfire of providers with a sense of entitlement. John Elmes reports

South Africa reaches 'tipping point on unbalanced affirmative action'. David Matthews reports

Experts say many young people deterred by fear of debt are missed by Polar data. Jack Grove reports

Russell Group chair issues warning over threat to ‘hard-won eminence’. John Morgan reports

Chomsky among those decrying the removal of a Manchester Met professor. Jack Grove writes

Dissenters raise concerns over Cambridge bond issue's property element. John Morgan reports

UK elite's proportion of income from state sources

Lecturers at the University of East London are set to hold a one-day strike in a row over proposed changes to staff workloads.

Fewer than 45 per cent of continuing overseas students at London Metropolitan University have committed to stay with the troubled institution, given the choice of staying or transferring elsewhere.

The chairman of the Association of Business Schools has attacked the "misplaced tyranny" that science, technology, engineering and maths subjects have in policymaking circles and argued that leadership and management are equally crucial to reviving the economy.

Two American academics have won the Nobel Prize in economics for work that has led to more efficient ways of matching doctors with hospitals and organ donors with transplant patients.

By Scott Jaschik, for Inside Higher Ed

"Organisational effectiveness is not viewed as simply foregrounding cost savings, but instead a much more complex interplay of influences and drivers that facilitate opportunities for enhancing the ways in which we manage movement."