Today's news

Fees threaten basic courses, says government research
University top-up fees threaten to undermine key courses in science, languages and engineering, government research has warned. Many degree courses in these subjects are four years long, rather than the more typical three, meaning students face extra costs. A study conducted for the Department for Education and Skills says universities fear students might abandon these already less-popular subjects when top-up fees come in. The findings follow a government review last year that found there was no "crisis" in university sciences, despite a spate of recent department closures.
The Guardian

Lecturers' unions split over strike ballot
Scottish lecturers have decided not to hold a strike ballot like their colleagues in England and Wales, opening up a split in tactics among the unions over pay negotiations. Officials of the Educational Institute of Scotland have not ruled out industrial action later but are waiting to see the outcome of further talks with the university employers next month. Clearly irritated by being presented with a fait accompli by the Association of University Teachers and the other main academic union Natfhe over the pay claim, the Scottish officials said they were "disappointed" and "surprised".
The Guardian

As another bronze is stolen, police fear treasures are going for scrap
A huge, modernist sculpture has disappeared from a university campus in west London, heightening fears that monumental bronzes are being targeted by thieves cashing in on booming scrap metal prices. One of The Three Watchers, a set of figures created by Lynn Chadwick in 1960 and estimated to be worth £300,000, was stolen from the grounds of Roehampton University after being snapped off at the feet. The theft occurred less than a month after a gigantic Henry Moore figure was driven away from a sculpture park in Hertfordshire. Both statues were taken at night.
The Guardian, The Independent

University offers first market regulation degree
The world's first university degree on the regulation of financial markets will be offered by the University of Reading this year to fill a growing demand for compliance professionals, it said. The University of Reading and U.S.- based NASD, the world's biggest private sector regulator for securities firms and brokers, said they are launching a Master of Science degree in Capital Markets, Regulation and Compliance. They said recruitment in the compliance market is at an all time high as businesses face growing pressure to comply with new and existing European, U.S. and international regulations.
The Scotsman, The Financial Times

University to sell off campus site
One of Scotland's biggest universities announced it is to move to a single campus. The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow hopes to sell its Jordanhill campus following a decision made by the university court. The move means around 2,900 students currently taking classes at the campus in the west end of Glasgow will be moved into a new building at the John Anderson campus in the city centre. A university spokeswoman said that current students taught at Jordanhill's faculty of education would not be affected by the decision, as establishing a new building could take at least four years.
The Scotsman

Students ban Christians in row over gays
A university Christian Union has been suspended and had its bank account frozen after refusing to open its membership to people of all religions. The Christian Union, an evangelical student organisation, has instructed lawyers and is threatening court proceedings against the Birmingham Guild of Students. The Birmingham Christian Union has more than 100 members who attend meetings regularly and has been functioning at the university for 76 years. Members claim the actions have been taken against them after they refused on religious grounds to make “politically correct” changes to their charitable constitution, including explicitly mentioning people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered.
The Times

Letter
From the British Medical Association saying the Government needs to tackle the financial barriers to medical school.
The Guardian