University applications to come after A-level results
Students will apply to university after they have taken A-levels in a major shake-up of higher education policy, the Government has revealed. Candidates currently apply for degree courses on the basis of grades their teachers predict they will get. But so many are now predicted for three As that top universities have to turn many away. Research also shows many state school students do better than expected in final exams. As a result, they lose out on places that would be theirs on merit at top universities.
The Evening Standard
EU students could cost us millions, warn MPs
Taxpayers could be landed with a multi-million pound bill to pay the tuition fees of European Union students attending English universities, MPs have warned. Graduates from other EU countries will be able to avoid repaying loans they take out from the Government to pay their fees, they claim. The Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has admitted that she does not know how the Government will ensure EU students pay money back. The loophole has arisen because from next year students will no longer have to pay tuition fees "upfront", but can do so after they graduate.
The Daily Mail
Universities to receive funds to encourage part-timers
Universities are to get more funding for part-time students, it emerged yesterday, as Ruth Kelly, the Education Secretary, called for action "as a matter of urgency". The Higher Education Funding Council for England confirmed that it would introduce new grants from autumn 2006 to reduce the barrier formed by higher tuition fees for part-time students, many of whom come from social groups the Government is keen to encourage on to courses.
The Financial Times
Press freedom row sparks walkout
The entire editorial staff of an Oxford University student newspaper has walked out after a row over press freedom and the sacking of three senior journalists. The row started when the paper's drama editor was accused of giving prominence to rave reviews of two of his own plays. Although he was backed by the Oxford Student's two joint editors, the board that runs the paper sacked him. When the two editors wanted to run a story about the row, they were dismissed after refusing to comply with board's decision to steer clear of the issue in print. Reporters and subeditors then resigned en masse.
The Guardian
Internet degrees a disgraceful waste
A Government initiative to offer British university degree courses over the internet has been condemned by MPs as a "disgraceful waste" of public money after it recruited just 900 students at a cost of £50 million. An investigation by the Commons Education Select Committee found that studying at the UK e-University, which folded last year six months after the launch of its first courses, cost an average of £44,000 per student - more expensive than it would cost a student to attend Oxford or Cambridge.
The Guardian, Financial Times, Daily Mail
Research councils offer PhD students up to £12,000 in living expenses and pay fees
So, you're pretty sure you're on for a 2:1, your degree course has whetted your appetite to delve more deeply into your chosen subject and all your lecturers have said you're just the sort of person who should be doing research work. What's the problem? Money, that's the problem. Like most undergraduates approaching the end of three years as a full-time student, your overdraft is bigger than you dreamt possible, and the thought of financing more years of academic life poses serious questions.
The Independent
Cancer research centre for Manchester
Manchester University and the city's two leading cancer research units are joining forces to set up a cancer research centre. The aim of the project is to double the amount of cancer research activity and establish the city as one of the biggest treatment and research centres in Europe.
The Financial Times
Letters
Regarding the Open University.
The Daily Telegraph