Europe

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

Pilot study that has seen UK institutions test software that can give students grades and feedback ‘confirming importance of educators in the process’, say organisers

Staff to be divided into teaching and research roles, with new starters hired via subsidiary firm

Sheffield Hallam union members ballot on following suit and London Met walkout dates confirmed as sector financial crisis drives cuts

Union claims sector pensions are ‘under attack’ from ‘aggressive’ lobbying as disputes continue at post-92 institutions

Ongoing restructures expected to ease long-term pressures on institutions after sector records collective £79 million deficit

No evidence of ‘systemic malpractice’ implied by ministers when implementing new ‘visa brake’, according to research-intensive group

Regulator steps in to outline free speech and academic freedom obligations for English universities that work with states overseas

Universities told to engage potential students before they write off higher education as ‘not for them’

Leading institutions see drop in proportion of students from surrounding area despite renewed access drives

Countries representing a quarter of bloc’s population receive just one in 20 grants, finds new report

Financial challenges and lack of work experience identified as key barriers for graduates hoping to progress to further study or employment