News

An attempt by Universities UK to get all vice-chancellors to support the rise in tuition fees has failed after a number refused to sign an open letter on the issue.

Education is often touted as a panacea for social unrest, an aphorism now being put to the test with the launch of an international university that bridges the Turkish and German academies.

The financial return on university study is determined more by the subject chosen than by tuition fee levels – and is not as high in science subjects as in others, according to a study.

The number of part-time students in England could fall as a result of proposals for university fees and funding, a government document has revealed.

The Irish High Court has ruled that the findings of an investigation by University College Cork into the academic at the centre of the “fruitbatgate” affair should stand.

A US-style university entrance test would not help identify academic potential among pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds that might be missed by A levels, a major study has found.

MPs will vote on whether to lift the tuition fees cap next Thursday, with students and university staff set to protest on the eve of the vote.

Academics argue that literary and artistic tradition can help rebuild republic. Hannah Fearn reports

Jon Marcus reports from Seattle on efforts to coax mature students via credit for career experience

Increase in PhDs spearheaded by women in science and engineering, Paul Jump writes

Don't forget that universities have a critical role, warns IoE's new head. Sarah Cunnane reports

This striking black costume was used in The Brilliant and the Dark, a cantata for female voices composed for the National Federation of Women's Institutes by Australian composer Malcolm Williamson to a libretto by Ursula Vaughan Williams.

Minister expects 44% cut to be shared equally across department's portfolio. Paul Jump writes

QAA reform needed to ensure that fees and quality rise in step, Lord Willis tells Rebecca Attwood

Groundbreaking journal to publish across all social science and humanities fields. Paul Jump reports

Loans architect and Browne panellist spot flaws in reforms. John Morgan and Simon Baker report

Employers and critics offer divergent interpretation of 1 per cent response rate. John Morgan reports

Experts say closure may mean some people get poor advice or none at all. Rebecca Attwood writes

Bristol's plan to cut post would harm UK expertise, warn colleagues worldwide. Simon Baker reports

Students from Wales will be spared additional costs of higher education wherever they study in the UK despite confirmation that Welsh universities will be allowed to charge tuition fees of £9,000 a year to students from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

More than 60 per cent of graduates will be poorer across their lifetimes if government reforms to student finance are voted through, according to new analysis.

Academics in Scotland should accept a voluntary pay freeze to help shore up the sector’s finances and prevent a decline in course quality, a scholar has argued.

Kingston University has named its new vice-chancellor.

By Scott Jaschik for Inside Higher Ed

The man in charge of allocating funding to England’s universities has said he would not be “comfortable” living and working in a country that did not provide teaching funding for arts and humanities courses.

The University of York has been named University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2010.

A national programme that aims to widen participation in higher education is to be scrapped.

Experts see challenges in ensuring standardisation while not stifling innovation. Matthew Reisz reports

Scientists sound creativity warning as councils look to concentrate cash. Paul Jump reports

Archbishop and Marxist challenge Dawkins et al's 'off-the-peg enlightenment'. Matthew Reisz writes

These handbills come from the John Bramwell Taylor Collection, which forms part of the University of Sheffield's National Fairground Archive.

Janet boss says that it is time for universities to call in the professionals. Simon Baker reports

Universities must do more to assist their local communities, says RSA chief. John Morgan reports

V-c will need to deal with a governance review, debt and a damaging tribunal, writes Simon Baker

Canterbury Christ Church vice-chancellor regrets the absence of a united voice. Simon Baker reports

The portrayal of women in comics was celebrated at a recent conference. Matthew Reisz reports