UK higher education policy
Sharp rise in grievances may reflect financial pressures on universities and ‘heightened expectations’ of procedural fairness, says ombudsman
In election year, Scotland’s higher education minister says fees policy non-negotiable, as newly formed review group looks for new models to heal nation’s ailing sector
English system that provides funding for less than cost of third of degrees, with repayment thresholds frozen below minimum wage, ‘no longer fit for purpose’
Still unclear whether Scotland will meet fair access goals set for this year, as country prepares to adopt institution-level approach
‘Frustrating’ changes to immigration rules affecting Scotland’s ability to be internationally competitive, says higher education minister
Former first minister advocates for progressive taxes as way of funding higher education as debates ramp up over who should pay for university
Report flags how seven institutions that have achieved a coveted gold rating have black awarding gaps exceeding 25 percentage points
Call for government to create new position mirrored on role that already exists in further education, to help steer sector while avoiding excessive regulation
Head of UK’s flagship distance learning institution warns online provision alone doesn’t guarantee equal access to higher education
Serious lobbying efforts under way, with right-wing party expected to be more sympathetic to elite universities than rest of the sector
New polling finds policy intended to foster lifelong learning and reskilling in England still suffering from very low levels of engagement
Most low-performing English students will not repay loans, argues campaigner, who says more needs to be done to educate people about system
Exclusions from government funding pots exacerbating a challenging financial climate for creative institutions, which say talent pipeline for Labour’s priority sector at risk of being jeopardised
Meeting public expectations demands careful design of statutory and regulatory arrangements, not rhetorical commitment, says Emma Roberts
Controversial political scientist to represent right-wing party in Gorton and Denton by-election, after leaving university post to become GB News presenter
Plaid Cymru’s education spokesperson discusses plan to reverse decline in student numbers as nationalist party targets victory in upcoming elections
Home Office won’t commit to continuing support as fresh tranche of applicants gain offers at top universities
Some institutions respond to ‘explosive’ demand for MRes courses by expanding programmes, exacerbating concerns about potential government crackdown
Complaints over ‘price increases’ and open access models spur UK institutions to walk away from offer from publishing giant, despite nationally negotiated agreement
UK international education champion Steve Smith defends new strategy from criticism that it ‘lacks substance’
Former University Alliance head returns to UK to lead research universities group after more than a decade in Australia
Director of Institute of Development Studies discusses stepping into the role after 25 years, impact of USAID cuts and benefits of Sussex collaboration
Labour prioritises growth abroad over increasing international student numbers on home soil amid immigration concerns
Scottish institutions made to address workplace inequalities and zero-hours contracts as condition of receiving grants
Financial and political pressures have prompted universities to siphon themselves off into various groupings. Can such bodies help secure a fair deal for the sector, or are they destined to end up as either winners or losers?
Three-year degrees, international student levy, graduate contributions and role of colleges should all be considered by politicians if universities are to survive, says report
MP seeks reform to ‘Frankenstein’s monster’ system amid cost-of-living concerns
New provider has been lauded by politicians and the media alike due to its different approach that seeks to ‘build a new type of university for a new type of undergraduate’. But what lessons can it teach the wider sector?
As chair of a women’s network, I see first-hand how the gap between policy and lived experience still shapes how careers unfold, says Xiaoran Xu
Scottish National Party minister says financial challenges go ‘beyond party political boundaries’ as official talks set to begin
Europop tracks based on chapters from Metaverse book have attracted thousands of fans, with one calling them ‘almost poetic’
To give the law teeth, the government must commit to promptly implementing the promised mechanism for flagging breaches, says Abhishek Saha
Analysis shows that one provider has increased its number of subcontracted students by 500 per cent
Rollback of decoupling researchers from their work questioned despite policy U-turn on books
Edward Peck insinuates risks of breaching rules when collaborating across sector aren’t as high as widely perceived
Minister’s assertion that universities can keep trading during liquidation process ‘markedly’ at odds with other experts’ views, committee chair says
Institutions that charge moderate fees and can’t pass costs on to students likely to be greatest victims of new tax, while some believe policy will help weed out lower-quality players
Fair admissions and effective management should cover all areas of university operations, education minister tells v-cs in letter
New subsidiaries and mergers expected after ministers insist on OfS registration for any institution teaching more than 300 students
Research into impact of higher education policy changes hard to find and not always utilised by politicians, report finds
Fears that expansion of master’s research courses to circumvent dependants ban could prompt more restrictions
Minister suggests internal battle to secure extra maintenance support for disadvantaged students to blame for low grant amount
Aggressively tackling intruders is best avoided, but a security guard should always have a ready supply of animal-themed plasters, says George Bass
Project that will see a dozen universities band together to respond to research risks among those receiving a grant
Providers generally unaware that they may face penalties unless they are more proactive in safeguarding recruitment work
Tech reskilling and digital democracy plans no distraction from furthering government’s research ambitions, says science secretary
Limits of current model mean trying something different can be challenging, according to Cara Aitchison, as government discussions start on future university funding
There have been more winners than losers since domestic student recruitment was uncapped in England. But without better stewardship, all institutions must do what they can to swing the market in their favour, regardless of national priorities or local needs, say David Maguire and Alex Bols
Universities must ensure procedures for handling sexual misconduct complaints are fair, transparent and supportive for all parties, says Jo Nuckley
Flat £925 charge seen as better outcome for sector overall, but institutions least able to absorb the cost expected to be hit the hardest
After a shambolic Budget day, it is hardly surprising that universities have been landed with a costly and overcomplicated international student levy, writes Nick Hillman
Fee caps for next two academic years confirmed by government post-budget, as students fear extra support will ‘barely scratch the surface’
Chancellor confirms details of controversial tax on income from overseas students, while universities also expect to be hit by changes to pension tax rules
Skills minister also promises to work with sector to help improve international student compliance ahead of levy introduction
Plaid Cymru has pledged to probe Seren Academy programme and clamp down on student grants being used outside of Wales
The government needs to signal its demand for elite foreign language skills before more universities leave provision to inferior alternatives, says Ian Proud
Providing a £4,000 grant for low-income students on priority courses could cost about £500 million, compared with £2.6 billion to restore former system
Research behemoth’s plans to better coordinate staff at faculty level met with fierce opposition, amid fears of pay cuts and demotions
Last-ditch attempts to minimise harm of incoming tax on international student fees splits sector, as research intensive universities set to save millions but post-92s would pay more
New incentives needed to encourage collaboration and specialisation among providers, conference hears
