Today's news

Anger at BNP visit to St Andrews
The leader of the British National Party has been invited to speak next Wednesday at St Andrews, where Prince William studies. Anti-racist groups condemned the invitation by the student debating society.
The Times, Daily Telegraph, Daily Express, Daily Mirror

Student vote 'key aid to Lib Dems'
Student voters could win important seats for the Liberal Democrats at the election and even eject ministers, Charles Kennedy said yesterday. The party has topped the last five opinion polls of students and hopes that large university populations will swing the vote in several constituencies.
The Guardian, The Independent, Times Higher, January 28

Bristol admission
Bristol University has admitted discriminating against pupils from privileged backgrounds in favour of working -class students.
Daily Mail,  Times Higher, February 4  

Mars probe should never have got lift-off
The ill-fated Beagle 2 Mars probe should never have been approved, according to an official report released yesterday. A commission of inquiry identified the key shortcomings as treating the lander as just a "scientific instrument" of a larger mission, failure to ensure adequate funding and leaving its management in the hands of the Open University.
Daily Telegraph

Exempt Oxford from fees cap, pleads Patten
Oxford University should be able to charge unlimited tuition fees, to help retain its place as one of the world's leading centres of teaching and research, its chancellor said yesterday. Lord Patten said the university would struggle unless it raised more from private funding and charged higher fees.
The Guardian

More students quit amid debt worries
Record numbers of students are dropping out of Scottish universities amid fears that rising debt is making it impossible for them to continue studying. Figures released yesterday showed that more than 5 per cent of students who received financial help from the Scottish Executive left university in 2003-4 without gaining a qualification.
The Scotsman

Uplifting times for Loughborough
Kate Hoey on Loughborough University's sports facilities: "arguably the most important centre for sport in the country."
Daily Telegraph

Letters: Oxbridge places for UK students.
The Times