News

By Dan Berrett, for Inside Higher Ed

More than £200 million will be invested in a network of innovation hubs to improve links between universities and business, David Cameron has announced.

College of the Atlantic focuses on human ecology and lets students lead the way. Jon Marcus reports

An indication by David Willetts that the government is leaning towards retaining a hard cap on tuition fees has provoked a swift response from the elite research universities, which have lobbied hard for the cap to be abolished.

The University of Dundee is to cut up to 195 jobs as part of a “strategic review” of its activities.

David Willetts has set out further details of the government’s plans for reforming the academy, announcing that proposals on the future of tuition fees will be submitted to Parliament before Christmas.

Observers say inquiry 'wielded knife for Chancellor' and lacked broad input. John Morgan writes

The academy must call itself and politicians to a 'higher plane', NYU president tells Sarah Cunnane

International students' food neophobia peaks at three months, study finds. Paul Jump reports

A university collapse could have dramatic impact on contributions, council told. John Morgan reports

Students go down to the woods for back-to-basics teaching and learning. Jon Marcus reports

King's College London has confirmed the controversial departure of Britain's only professor of palaeography, praising his role in "tirelessly protecting" the discipline.

Study finds female lecturers bear the brunt but also report it more often. Sarah Cunnane writes

At a time when public finances were in a dire state and much of the country was still badly bomb-damaged, the 1951 Festival of Britain provided a perfect "tonic for the nation".

Ian Christie talks to Matthew Reisz about the film world's fascination with reading rooms

Cern leader to tell engineers that advances come from fundamental research. Paul Jump reports

Institutions will charge more than £8,000 to counter cuts, heads warn. Simon Baker reports

The imposition of a minimum entry standard for university would put the government in control of what is traditionally a key area of academic judgement and allow it to restrict student places, vice-chancellors warned this week.

THE poll shows that most backbench respondents have yet to decide fees stance. Simon Baker writes

Higher Education Council could gain power to oust ineffective vice-chancellors, reports Simon Baker

Government funding for higher education is to be cut by 40 per cent over four years, suggesting that public funding for teaching in the arts, humanities and social sciences may come to an end.

The government has been warned of the potential for disastrous consequences if it does not pause for thought before embracing Lord Browne’s proposals for reform of higher education while implementing significant cuts in today’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

What is “normal” for humans? Why do a cat’s eyes appear to glow in the dark?

By Doug Lederman, for Inside Higher Ed

Ten years of study with no sign of a degree points to an academy in crisis. Matthew Reisz reports

The president of Universities UK has told vice-chancellors to expect cuts of £4.2 billion in the government’s spending review – and warned that a huge funding gap is a “terrible danger”.

Students from poor backgrounds will receive help to attend university as part of a wider £7 billion “fairness premium” announced today by Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister.

Entrenched ideas hinder drive to attract more foreign students and staff, writes Michael Fitzpatrick

Browne's review of fees and finance calls for end to blanket subsidy and fees cap. Simon Baker writes