Breaking news

Concerns are mounting that scientific and technological research funded by business could be undermining universities’ openness and independence. Zoë Corbyn reports

Privacy issues raised as lists of friends analysed to indicate sexual orientation. Jon Marcus reports

A round-up of higher education news from across the globe

Watchdog demands that ‘misleading’ information and ‘inconsistencies’ are addressed.

Higher education news from around the globe

Delight as Somerset, Crawley, Milton Keynes, Swindon, Thurrock and the Wirral are chosen to receive funding for campuses

Striving for excellence in universities to achieve a new renaissance is the only choice, says report to European Commission. Zoë Corbyn reports

Early repayment of student loans mooted to finance university expansion. Hannah Fearn reports

Imperial scholar finds that in terms of spelling and grammar, foreign students know best. Rebecca Attwood reports

Council plans to slash funding bands, raising the possibility of cuts in some subjects. Hannah Fearn reports

Cambridge v-c believes selective policy adoption would strengthen UK higher education. By Melanie Newman

UK loses second place in publication output volume, but share of citations increases

Fights break out as Brunel law students queue overnight to avoid unpopular supervisors in first-come, first-served system. Melanie Newman reports

Independent inquiry finds that illnesses among Rutherford Building staff were probably coincidence. Melanie Newman reports

Justice Secretary says universities are putting their interests first by offering too many law places. Hannah Fearn reports

The University and College Union has criticised plans to vacuum and wipe offices just once every few weeks

Move comes less than a year after a multimillion-pound refit. Melanie Newman reports

Study shows that Hollywood’s version of events lingers longer in the mind than historians’ painstaking work. Jon Marcus reports

Retired v-c of London South Bank to take the reins at UEL on an interim basis. Melanie Newman reports

REF consultation shows new assessment model does not represent a radical departure from its predecessor. Zoë Corbyn reports

Lead author falsely claimed ‘full access’ to data in study funded and co-authored by Procter & Gamble. Phil Baty reports

Demos report argues that the one-year PGCE is too short and has unacceptably low entry criteria. Melanie Newman reports

Task force’s call for ‘uncomfortable’ choices is condemned by the NUS and the UCU. Hannah Fearn reports

A course on ‘the most powerful determinant of human destiny’ strikes a nerve with the American media. Jon Marcus reports

But IUSS member replies that attacks on the Students and Universities report are ‘spurious nonsense’. Hannah Fearn reports

After defending science reporting against Goldacre’s ‘unremitting focus’ on missteps, Drayson promises to look into tales of misrepresentation. Zoë Corbyn reports

League tables show usual suspects and post-92 vocational graduates fare well in the job market. Hannah Fearn reports

Mandelson announces review to cut ‘overlapping bureaucracies and duplicated programmes’.

An article claiming caterpillars and butterflies evolved separately has attracted widespread criticism, writes Zoë Corbyn

KPMG finds no evidence of wrongdoing, but discovers cases of non-compliant practice among management. Melanie Newman reports

Institution may create three overarching faculties to concentrate strengths and cut costs. Hannah Fearn reports

Higher Education Minister also tells UUK conference that sector must bring in more private cash. Phil Baty reports

Universities told they may have to fund doctoral training themselves. Zoë Corbyn reports

But Sense About Science survey finds that two thirds of those polled think it is failing to detect plagiarism. David Schley reports

Severance options at Surrey amounted to ‘sackings’ claims letter signed by almost 200 scholars. Melanie Newman reports

Comparative figures from OECD report show UK lagging behind other developed nations. Phil Baty reports

Appeal to academics to show disapproval of proven research misconduct by Croatian professor. Zoë Corbyn reports

In a bid to bridge the generation gap between new students and academics, an American professor devised a list of cultural reference points on incoming students. Jon Marcus reports

A new course will teach media students how to break news via social networking sites, reports Jon Marcus in Chicago

Annmarie Surprenant, the scholar accused of marking irregularities, stands down. Melanie Newman reports

University says Centre for New Zealand Studies is unsustainable, despite £100,000 donation from NZ Government last year. Melanie Newman reports

Decision to fire Tariq Ramadan for his work with Iranian-funded TV network was ‘political’, he claims. Melanie Newman reports

UCU threatens to ‘grey-list’ the institution unless it backs down on job cuts. Melanie Newman reports

Universities are reporting a major decline in donations, with the US worse hit than the UK

Professor argues that academics must make sure they stick to core activities rather than being forced to be all things to all men

Universities urged to develop programmes to help young adults make transition to higher education, writes Melanie Newman

Researchers fear for future of £20m careers funding. Zoe Corbyn reports

Ucea must meet the union within seven days to seek a resolution. Melanie Newman reports

Poorer students are missing out on places at top universities, a study suggests. Rebecca Attwood reports

Despite progress, fragmented arrangements leave institutions vulnerable to reputational damage. Melanie Newman reports

Erich Kofmel, who skipped bail and fled country, gets the boot from Sussex. Melanie Newman reports

KPMG blames institution for student-data inaccuracies and raises spectre of further Hefce action. Melanie Newman reports

But NSS 2009 shows slight rise in assessment and feedback rating. Hannah Fearn reports

High number of early acceptances could spell trouble for universities. Hannah Fearn writes

Critics say statutory rules would give the subjects unwarranted legitimacy. Zoë Corbyn reports

Giant US for-profit university provider establishes foothold in UK. Hannah Fearn reports

Data inaccuracies push institution’s debt to more than £8 million. Melanie Newman reports

‘Defensive complacency’ over standards requires monitoring by independent agency that can remove degree-awarding powers, says select committee report. Hannah Fearn writes