UK higher education policy
The government has announced that it will consult in the autumn over whether there should be a ‘minimum English language requirement’ to access student loans to ensure those who do so ‘are equipped to succeed in their studies’. Would that be a good idea? Seven observers have their say
Closer collaboration between institutions and industry aims to ensure more students start defence-related careers
Ministers decline to introduce more exemptions to new tax in its response to consultation
Union says slashing funding for healthcare professionals who work in universities is ‘at odds’ with government priorities
At UAL, James Purnell championed student loan reform and the creative industries, but he also had to contend with student protests and staff unrest
At last week’s HE debate, a host of Oxford-associated grandees made the usual points while the sector continued to melt down, says Andrew McRae
University leader describes incoming policy as ‘madness’ amid sector’s financial crisis
Latest cost-benefit analysis finds overseas enrolments generate nearly 10 times more money for UK than they take away
Arts institutions warn creative education is becoming increasingly hard to deliver as government slashes funding from September onwards
We discuss what the next three years could hold for UK universities under an Andy Burnham premiership
Leading university calls for fresh review of higher education as emergency budget adds to financial woes
Cost concerns may force institutions to ‘ration’ Erasmus+ participation, warns Vivienne Stern
Institution to become Norland University of Early Childhood after gaining approval from Office for Students
Recent US restrictions highlight how foreign powers could remove access to key technologies, argues parliamentary committee report
Parliamentary inquiry finds loans were mis-sold to students and tells government it cannot continue to ignore ‘broken’ system
Education minister defends reduction in light of tuition fee rises as Strategic Priorities Grant falls to £1.25 billion
Joining up school and employer networks will help students decide what education option is ‘right’ for them, says v-c
Fixing student accommodation key to tackling raft of other student issues, argues Hepi report
Westminster initiative that brought together people from across the institution to look at climate policy can be replicated elsewhere, participants say
Third edition of British Council survey of international graduates shows continued positivity with UK education, despite sector challenges
Sector pushes to reopen negotiations on controversial tax, while some call for the income raised to be reinvested in universities
Country still on track to reach international education strategy target despite dip in revenue
Natalie Bennett insists resurgent environmental party remains committed to free tuition, and building a system where universities are no longer ‘places of fear’
‘Bad tendency to lift and shift’ undergraduate support on to postgraduate taught cohort, says leader of UK-wide study
Government initiative aims to dismantle ‘systemic factors that slow progression and push too many women out of research’
Long-awaited accounts reveal leaders departed crisis-hit institution with large payouts despite presiding over period where costs grew by almost half
Students’ human rights breached by changes that mean those studying overseas are deprioritised for NHS training places, lawyers claim
Likely next prime minister promises parity between academic and technical education
Just half of white working-class pupils say they’re likely to attend university, compared with 82 per cent of their middle-class peers
Introducing language requirements for whole sector undermines government’s widening access mission, universities say
Prospective future prime minister ‘very engaged’ with sector challenges, according to Manchester leaders who have worked with him
Law professor will deliver talk on gender identity and sex next term after disruption forced abandonment of previous event
Newly revised outcomes data show men who studied philosophy and history earned less than non-graduates with similar GCSE grades
New IFS research suggests going to university is still financially worthwhile for most – but a quarter see negative return
Ministers moot new rules for student finance as government continues crackdown on ‘low-quality’ courses
Labour’s post-16 agency is often tasked by ministers with detailed analysis. But nearly two years on from the fanfare around its announcement, universities remain unclear why they should engage with a body that has no clear role in forming or implementing policy. Helen Packer reports
Lack of transparency over environmental impact of technology leaves universities struggling to assess carbon footprint
Russell Group institution cites changing student demand as it puts 500 staff at risk of redundancy, with 150 jobs set to go
Shadow minister says institutions delivering strong graduate outcomes should be better funded, with money taken off those failing to deliver for students
Range of current providers and questions around which assessment is best requires greater clarity from universities, UKCISA warns
Focus on widening participation and shorter exchanges difficult to replicate in wider Erasmus programme, experts fear
Prime minister fell short of pre-election promise to stabilise higher education sector as focus shifted to other priorities, say policy experts
University of York leader will switch to fellow Russell Group member in October after seven years in charge
Post-Brexit programme established by Boris Johnson’s government shuttered after supporting 200,000 participants
By neglecting to adequately fund university teaching, the UK government is undermining its own growth ambitions for the creative sector, say Goldsmiths’ interim vice-chancellor David Oswell and, separately, Creative Industries Skills Audits co-author Heather Carey
DfE reportedly considering introducing minimum entry standard, potentially blocking tens of thousands of applicants from accessing student finance
New English quality framework over-reliant on data to measure student experience, critics fear
More than 300 social sciences programmes lost in past year, figures show, as critics bemoan decisions made on enrolment numbers alone
Former education secretary says mergers the solution for institutions in financial crisis as he calls for more ‘ambition’ in higher education
New leader of research-intensive grouping says ‘challenging conversations’ needed but critics urge united front against political attacks
Regulator scraps overall ratings after consultation on revamped exercise but commits to plans to limit growth at bronze providers
Labour politicians defend student finance system, including retrospective changes, as they suggest uplifting higher education funding is not a priority
Anand Menon criticises ‘absurdities’ of government policy, pointing to contradictions in UK’s efforts to rejoin flagship exchange scheme
Sector’s absence from Starmer’s trip to Beijing and Shanghai ‘wasn’t for lack of trying’, says Birmingham vice-chancellor
Updates to UK counter-terror monitoring scheme incoming despite concern Prevent not built to deal with growing problem of extreme right-wing views
Coming reduction in funding for high-cost subjects and access programmes ‘extraordinarily frustrating’, says Universities UK leader
‘Time is right’ to lower tuition fees for some accelerated degrees, says UK’s oldest private institution
Five-year tuition fee freeze, ban on franchising and introduction of new national entry test among other recommendations from Policy Exchange
Encouraging students to take part in employment opportunities essential, leaders say, but Manchester could find new commitment hard work
Fifth of job hunters report applying for more than 100 roles amid continued questioning of the value of a degree
