Quality debate cannot ignore long-term effects of Covid crisis Forthcoming policies on ‘low-value courses’ and grade inflation must acknowledge how pandemic will hit graduate prospects and undergraduate preparedness for years to come, says QAA deputy chief executive Vicki Stott By Vicki Stott 30 January
Watchdog warns suppliers to disabled students over price-fixing Competition and Markets Authority says collusion on prices could have left disabled students with less funding available through support scheme By Anna McKie 29 January
Nearing retirement doesn’t have to mean you’re ‘out of the game’ But for those who wish to continue playing, it takes determination, stamina and strategy when the odds are stacked against you, says Graham Crow By Graham Crow 29 January
MPs and peers want £700 million to support Covid-hit students Cross-party report calls on Westminster government to more than double hardship funding, but says straight refunds aren’t the answer By Anna McKie 29 January
‘Rule-bending’ needed for devolved nations to stay in Erasmus+ Policy expert says agreement between EU and UK is ‘not at all geared to separate treatment for regions’ By Ellie Bothwell 29 January
Leading universities mull mandatory vaccine policies Vice-chancellors say they are considering what to do if members of their community refuse Covid-19 inoculation By Ellie Bothwell 28 January
Dutch universities ‘have strongest global reputations’ É«ºÐÖ±²¥ analysis finds that UK and Canadian systems are also among most prestigious, while Australian universities are losing international stature By Ellie Bothwell 28 January
Staff or students? PhD students face worst of both worlds in lockdown Ambiguous status of postgraduate research students in lockdown has underlined why they should be treated as staff, says Rebecca Teague By Rebecca Teague 28 January
Record number of complaints to ombudsman for England and Wales Full impact of pandemic on Office of the Independent Adjudicator caseload may yet emerge By Chris Havergal 28 January
Employers’ leader calls for understanding as UK pay talks fail Union describes proposed salary freeze as an ‘insult’ but universities point to financial woes By Anna McKie 28 January
One in three UK graduates got a first under ‘no detriment’ rules OfS head warns that pandemic uplift must not ‘bake in’ further grade inflation over longer term By Simon Baker 27 January
Questions mount over future of ‘rogue’ French research institute University Hospital Institute Méditerranée Infection, under leadership of ‘populist’ microbiologist Didier Raoult, continues to push hydroxychloroquine in the face of evidence By David Matthews 27 January