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New IFS research suggests going to university is still financially worthwhile for most – but a quarter see negative return

Nearly nine in 10 UK undergraduate applicants expect to work during studies, with many relying on earnings to get by

DfE reportedly considering introducing minimum entry standard, potentially blocking tens of thousands of applicants from accessing student finance

Labour politicians defend student finance system, including retrospective changes, as they suggest uplifting higher education funding is not a priority

‘Time is right’ to lower tuition fees for some accelerated degrees, says UK’s oldest private institution

Plan 2 system compared to payment protection insurance scandal by financial experts as parliamentary inquiry begins

Institutions ask for review of decision to revoke loans and of classification of weekend courses as distance learning

People increasingly sceptical of higher education’s benefits, according to social attitudes poll, while majority back limits on international students

Country’s budget shifts more costs on to students, with money saved from signature policy diverted to other priorities

Survey of current and prospective loan holders finds ‘massive frustration’, with system putting off future students

Submissions to UK parliamentary inquiry also stress need for new mechanisms to ensure higher earners pay more

Academics say organisation that supports disadvantaged students needs governance overhaul after being placed in administration again

Under half of Universities UK members sign up to take part in scheme that intends to foster more flexible, lifelong study

Students will no longer be given money off in final year as coalition minister calls policy ‘wasteful spending’

University of Pretoria head warns that current student finance model is unsustainable and suggests a ‘totally new system’ may be the answer

Suella Braverman says university system is “rigged” as she calls for change to student finance rules

Turmoil continues for students wrongly issued maintenance loans, while universities argue regulatory changes are needed if they are to deliver on government’s drive to support non-traditional learners

Government announces loans given out in error can be repaid through usual routes but students appear to remain blocked from accessing further loans

Universities UK calls for funding to be restored until solution to row is found, as 13,000-signature petition presented to Department for Education

Bath Spa, London Metropolitan and Southampton Solent universities among those pursuing action against the government after thousands of students lost access to funding

Historic tuition fee rates adjusted to current levels, leaving those who have undertaken traditional three-year programme £9,790 to play with

Treasury to generate £679 million in surplus from last Plan 2 cohort, analysis shows, with graduates paying thousands more than under original system

Conservative manifesto ahead of Holyrood poll promises to promote alternatives to higher education, but declines to row back on totemic fee policy

Maximum interest rate to be limited as Westminster government continues to look at wider reforms to controversial student finance system

New right-wing president eyes reforms to student finance as part of wider austerity measures

‘Weekend-only’ learners signed contracts in good faith before being suddenly told to repay money through no fault of their own, says NUS head

Calls for clarity after thousands of English students told they will no longer be eligible for maintenance loans because courses viewed as distance learning

Moving student loan portfolio to Treasury seen as biggest move yet in Trump’s efforts to close under-pressure department

Universities told to offer better support to entrants with few or no qualifications following debate over whether these students should be able to access loans

Education secretary when Plan 2 loans were introduced tells ɫ��ֱ�� that universities ‘would be in even shakier position’ without his changes

New figures show efforts to address issues with repayments faltering as critics say system in ‘dire need of an overhaul’

Chancellor says government wants to make improvements but insists other priorities will take precedence

Treasury reaps the rewards from high contribution rates which appear to be pushing disadvantaged students away from university, analysis finds

Treasury committee begins inquiry after calls to restrict government’s ability to change loan conditions after they have been taken out

While soaring fees are blamed for turning people off university, programmes to forgive fees lure few graduates to the bush

Birmingham vice-chancellor’s call to review loan eligibility for students with no A levels criticised by own staff members

New polling finds voters would like to see government prioritise reducing interest rates for graduates over other reforms

While ‘doing an Albo’ and wiping proportion of student debt unlikely to make any difference to English graduates’ cost-of-living fears, evidence from Australia shows it was a vote-winner

Critics decry ‘missed opportunity’ to help graduates as chancellor skips chance to cut debt levels

Reduction in repayment rate combined with longer write-off period would redistribute costs for graduates, finds thinktank

Concern around student finance and graduate dissatisfaction in England will continue to grow regardless of expected Treasury reforms, say former government officials

Changes to system put forward by Plaid Cymru and Reform UK ahead of coming election would breach Treasury rules, economists warn

Prime minister promises reform after coming under pressure over student finance ‘debt trap’

Party unveils proposed changes to student finance system that it says would save graduates hundreds of pounds

Debates around graduate debt have exploded in recent weeks amid concern about balances that continue to inflate even as graduates seek to pay them down. Has the system become a ‘Frankenstein’s monster’ that politicians will rush to slay? Juliette Rowsell reports

Institutional blind spots around part-time Australian students seen as making life unnecessarily difficult ‘for people on the breadline’

Former first minister advocates for progressive taxes as way of funding higher education as debates ramp up over who should pay for university

Poll shows support for eliminating some or all of the money graduates owe the government, as calls grow for reform of the loan system

New polling finds policy intended to foster lifelong learning and reskilling in England still suffering from very low levels of engagement

Multiple calls to extend Atec’s remit, as the cost of arts degrees edges past A$54K

Most low-performing English students will not repay loans, argues campaigner, who says more needs to be done to educate people about system

Sharp increases in outlay in recent years along with changes to the English system put pressure on Wales to ensure student loans ‘remain sustainable’, says report

Fee freezes bring down spend per student, as overall funding for education in England reaches historic lows

Vast majority of parents in England having to support children at university, finds poll, with some sending more than £1,000 a month

MP seeks reform to ‘Frankenstein’s monster’ system amid cost-of-living concerns

Charging interest on loans already repaid would be illegal in other sectors, senator highlights

Low value of support on offer not enough to move the dial on university access, critics fear

Graduates earning only just above minimum wage may soon have to repay their loans after budget changes

Fee caps for next two academic years confirmed by government post-budget, as students fear extra support will ‘barely scratch the surface’

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