Opinion

The UK’s highly internationalised university system – a major factor in its research success – is a treasure that must be saved from a political altar

Dahl before Dostoevsky? Harry Potter before Proust? It’s time to acknowledge the texts that really constitute the modern literary canon, says Felipe Fernández-Armesto 

New furore over a steep rise in unconditional offers and concerns over student mental health underlines why reform of the UK’s unique admissions system is long overdue, says Julie Kelly

Discussions with students about how marijuana can affect studies and health and talks about its place on campus are needed before the drug becomes legal in Canada, say Alexandra Burnett, Rodney A. Clifton and Gabor Csepregi

Key figures from the university sector respond to results and early Ucas figures on acceptances

After a visit to Hungary, Matthew Reisz reflects on how academics can resist simplistic, government-promoted versions of history 

Giving students the time and space to make informed decisions about where to study will set them up for success on their educational journey, says Christina Edgar

Perilous drops in student recruitment at UK universities during A-level clearing raise the likelihood of institutional failures, a prospect that remains as politically unpalatable as ever, says Nick Hillman

Nurturing students’ enthusiasm for a subject during their time at university will give them a solid grounding to respond to a lifetime of career changes, says Trevor McMillan 

Threats to cut all postgraduate funding from 2019 in Brazil were thankfully scuppered, says Justin Axel-Berg, but signalled that a long-term strategy for Brazilian higher education is sorely needed 

‘Swivel-eyed’ Brexiteers must acknowledge that leaving with no deal in March would be disastrous for UK higher education, says Hywel Williams

Persuading faculty and staff that online delivery models are a good idea will require collaboration and negotiation, says Michael Stewart

Real-life experience in hospitality operations is vital for a career in this field, but so are courses in psychology, languages and theatre, says Georgette Davey

More student-let social enterprises are a financially sound way to fight social injustices where charities might fall short, argues Robert Phillips 

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The high cost and visa complexity associated with Western higher education is driving a mushrooming number of African students east, says Kuyok Abol Kuyok

Cutting partner labs out of awarded grant budgets is a common but destructive phenomenon in modern academia, says Anne Carpenter

He may once have disdained older scholars, but, having reached seniority in a managerialist age, John Brinnamoor now values their ability to say what others can’t

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India’s downsized Institutes of Eminence programme has dashed the hopes of those keen to see an improvement in higher education quality, says Pushkar

University managers can learn from Geraint Thomas’ example that success can be won without having to be domineering and overbearing

A guaranteed offer of a place on a degree course gives students peace of mind, but it also means they are unlikely to make considered decisions about their most appropriate future path, argues Jane Baker

Academics must be able to walk among colleagues in the ivory tower and distil their thoughts to the non-technical masses in order to protect democratic norms, says Alex de Ruyter 

Outside the anglophone world, universities are under pressure to conduct research in English – but teach in their local language, says David Matthews