Breaking news

The academy is ageing and is not attracting a new generation of talent, according to figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

UCU says students’ union is encouraging ‘hate mail’ to lecturers. Melanie Newman reports

Anger over points-based system but legality of campaign of non-compliance questioned. Melanie Newman writes

Survey shows that some plan to slash research budgets by up to 40 per cent. Zoë Corbyn reports

Royal college cites doctors’ ‘negative attitudes’ to subject in highlighting dearth of entrants. Hannah Fearn reports

Problems with ‘consistency and interpretation’ mean it may be time to ‘bust open’ classification. Hannah Fearn writes

MPs demand apology from Lammy as they learn there will be no new scrutiny of London Met crisis. Melanie Newman reports

MPs allege that Hefce colluded with university over inaccurate data. Melanie Newman reports

Beddington criticises homoeopathy in NHS and Home Secretary’s treatment of drugs adviser. Zoë Corbyn reports

Independent Adjudicator fielded 900 student complaints in 2008, but only 7 per cent of the 630 cases it closed were upheld. Rebecca Attwood reports

The University and College Union has called off its ballot for industrial action

Our regular weekly legal column this week tackles the issue of swine flu and how universities should prepare, should they be affected

Hefce director says a broad range of engagement with business should be top of the agenda. Hannah Fearn reports

Reprieve depends on meeting targets in research performance, writes Rebecca Attwood

Reduction part of £180 million saving demanded by Universities Secretary by April 2011. Melanie Newman reports

Lampeter v-c ‘on the brink’ of stepping into the breach at troubled institution. Melanie Newman reports

Watchdog outlines national proposals for external examiners, student-tutor contact and English-language proficiency. Rebecca Attwood reports

Committee ignores legal advice and adds motions to agenda. Melanie Newman reports

Workers to vote on whether to take final 2.5 per cent of last year’s national pay award as v-c warns that increase will cause job losses. Melanie Newman reports

Hefce figures for non-completions 13 times higher than university data. Melanie Newman reports

Scientists successfully lobby for weakening of restrictions on primate experiments. Zoë Corbyn reports

In London, Prime Minister Maliki unveils a raft of initiatives to strengthen ties with the UK higher education sector, while in Basra, British forces withdraw. John Gill reports

Nesta says universities need ‘boundary spanners’ to build commercial links and boost businesses. Hannah Fearn reports

Employers’ organisation says move is ‘realistic, responsible and credible’ in the prevailing economic conditions. Melanie Newman reports

Eusa awards ceremony recognises the top of the pedagogic pops. Rebecca Attwood reports

Ucea ‘bewildered’ as move is announced less than halfway through an agreed timetable for negotiations. Melanie Newman reports

Conference motion will call on Government to support Palestinian self-determination, but an academic boycott of Israel is not on the agenda. Melanie Newman reports

Professor Jim Horne is ‘saddened and appalled’ by Bush Administration’s efforts to exploit his book to excuse 180-hour stints of sleep deprivation. Melanie Newman reports

Chief executive Diana Warwick tells v-cs that she ‘briefed’ Today programme about Anthony Glees, but academic reiterates claim that universities’ student visa procedures are too lax. Melanie Newman reports

Claire Harman’s citation rows with Oxford scholar Kathryn Sutherland and Peter Sabor of McGill University demonstrate the bad feeling that can arise when popular writers and academics operate on the same patch. Melanie Newman reports

As many as ten suspects could possess student visas. Melanie Newman reports

Head says criticism is ‘not based on great substance’ as MPs unveil another academic's misgivings. Melanie Newman reports

Perception shift needed before fees cap can be raised, top LSE economist tells conference. Rebecca Attwood reports

Ward L. Churchill may seek reinstatement at the University of Colorado as jury awards him $1 in damages. John Gill reports

Chris Knight publishes disciplinary correspondence on his website. Melanie Newman reports

Research council accused of ‘wasting £4.3 million and six years of people’s careers’, writes Zoë Corbyn

Denham tells Hefce to adjust model to make universities more responsive and dynamic. John Gill reports

Sarah Cunnane offers a round-up of the mischievous stories circulating around the higher education sector on 1 April

Initiative part of wider plans to bring higher education in line with new media age and reality talent shows. Sarah Cunnane reports

Report advises British universities to act or lose international students to European rivals. Hannah Fearn reports

‘Duty of care’ cited as university scraps event amid security concerns. Melanie Newman reports

Letter-writers claim the university needs to invest in the discipline or distinctive research strengths will be weakened in the UK, writes Melanie Newman

Government told to appoint engineering experts, writes Zoë Corbyn

The principal of Royal Holloway and the vice-chancellor of York St John call time on their tenures. Melanie Newman reports

But agency investigation finds no evidence of widespread problems with standards. Melanie Newman reports

But the Government is accused of hypocrisy as universities cut adult learning courses. Hannah Fearn reports

‘Neither party has the bottle’ to debate the issue before the next general election, Labour MP claims. Zoë Corbyn reports

V-c relinquishes role with immediate effect, Rebecca Attwood reports

Scenarios that include a doubling of tuition costs lead to outcry over vice-chancellors’ ‘fantasising’. John Gill reports

The Government and universities must come clean about the A* A-level grade before the whole examination standard is undermined, writes Geoff Lucas

University rejects call to ignore new grade in the short term. Rebecca Attwood reports

Report says ambitions for sector depend on improving quality of management. Hannah Fearn writes

Disappointing RAE results could lead to cuts, leaked documents show. Melanie Newman reports

Research elite ‘surprised’ by ‘real decline’ in budgets, reports Zoë Corbyn

R&D boss thinks the grandiose pretensions of the ‘University of Middle Wallop’ are putting off international firms and damaging the country’s reputation. Hannah Fearn reports