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From the advice you need (but rarely get) to pick the right PhD supervisor, to an extraordinary rant about the idiocy of the research excellence framework, we reveal our most-read stories of 2013

Hundreds of people have signed a petition nominating actor Peter Capaldi to be the new rector of the University of Glasgow.

A group of colleges at the University of Cambridge have collectively raised £150 million for capital projects through the private debt market.

Fewer sixth-form students want to attend a university near their home despite tuition fees rising to £9,000 a year, a new survey says.

Further education colleges are giving students a “unique” environment in which to undertake higher education, according to a new report.

An Indian private university has been given official backing by the Indian government for its off-shore campus in London.

Wearing of shirts depicting Prophet Mohammed and Jesus ‘did not amount to harassment’

Reading v-c condemns Autumn Statement announcement as a purely political move

The year’s best reads for work and pleasure, chosen by scholars and senior figures in the sector

School Direct scheme diverts funding and input from university education departments

Border states a key battleground as the struggle for international income intensifies

I have had a good run with Henry V, but I think it is over now

Global competition prompts easing of curbs on commissions to student recruiters

The items shown here are all owned by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and are among the objects that appear in its online interactive 2013 seasonal calendar, with audio recordings and podcasts

We speak to the honorary visiting professor in the Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool

Hepi head and HE analyst tell MPs that coalition sums don’t add up

Ideology and myopia threatens the future of some of the UK’s best humanities departments, warns Louis Goddard

Targets for financial support don’t know terminology, research finds

The alchemy between art and nature gives food for thought, writes Philip Hoare

UK research is punching above its weight in impact terms, according to a report prepared by Elsevier for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Expert points to lecturers’ low qualification levels

‘Manhattan Project’ that some think could pave the way for variable fees proceeds with Nuffield funding

The government doesn’t need to resort to violence to ensure foreign scholars’ compliance, argues Erin Jessee

Research council hopes to claw back cash to fund centres that missed out during initial bidding process

Emma Rees can’t wait for the holidays to start

UCU fears more support staff will be forced out to cover REF recruitment costs

In this season of festive goodwill and fantasy, John Gilbey meets the vice-chancellor of the publicity-shy but prosperous University of Rural England - and he begins to contemplate the possibility of living happily ever after…

Idea of borrowing to study is ‘totally alien’ to some students, so take-up may be low

Participation widens, but questions may be asked over falling entry requirements

Student leaders criticised over perceived failure to support grass-roots members joining in demonstrations

Publishing arm aims to disseminate research and ease budgetary pressures

Newcastle v-c gives international students the full flavour of a British Christmas

Beijing wants to supercharge its nation’s universities as it has its railroads, but might its ambitions falter for want of academic freedom and cultural change?

The European Commission has announced the new president of the European Research Council.

The government’s plan to finance extra student places by the future sale of student loans is like a Ponzi scheme, according to a thinktank.

It is “perfectly possible” to fund the government’s plan to abolish the student numbers cap by selling off graduate debt, David Willetts has claimed.

By Scott Jaschik for Inside Higher Ed

Work amassed over several decades by Khoan and Michael Sullivan

The Treasury has funded a £15 million pilot project to establish three to four University Enterprise Zones in England.

A leading activist has called on the academic community to do far more “to help promote and defend human rights”.

Controversial passage removed pending review as prime minister intervenes

Nobel laureate Randy Schekman has pledged to stop publishing in “luxury journals”, which he believes contribute to the “disfigurement” of science.

The government’s plan to fund extra student numbers by selling loans omits billions of pounds in lost repayments, the chancellor has admitted.

Universities UK has published legal advice which backs its controversial guidance on the segregation of men and women at campus events.

The government’s claim it can fully fund extra student places by selling loans is “wrong”, according to the MP in charge of examining public accounts.

Institution’s 12-month embargo is probably ‘in breach’ of ICO guidelines. David Matthews reports

Survey indicates need for fresh ways to measure engagement with industry

Oxford scholar says discipline can play vital role in meeting biggest challenges

As long as applicants fulfil language, qualifications and maintenance criteria, ‘they are welcome’, says BIS spokeswoman

Judgment is a key development in student athletes’ bid to claim a cut of billion-dollar college sports

Russell Foster on how to reply to the question ‘And what do you do?’ at Christmas cocktail parties

Martin Hall considers the legacy of academic values left by South Africa’s first black president

Following student protests, government mulls a sector report calling for change. Cyrille Cartier writes

Matthew Reisz talks to the master of Oxford hall and ‘place of inter-religious encounter’

Enthusiasm for ‘neuroeducation’ risks blinding people to its potentially limited efficacy, argues Steven Rose