Higher education policy

Former Birkbeck leader handed role until 2028 after resignation of Wendy Thomson

With Andy Burnham’s new government announcing plans to scrap the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, we discuss what this could mean for UK research

Creating and then scrapping DSIT in the space of little more than three years wastes valuable time, but what really matters is the clout and aptitude of ministers

But medical and veterinary students should not be left out, postgraduate body insists

Burnham government appointments signal focus on youth unemployment and skills as universities are left ‘without a home’, according to policy analysts

With financial pressures intensifying and income sources drying up, new report argues for more differentiated sector to avert worst-case scenario

New tool allows prospective students to compare transport, food and accommodation costs in more than 100 cities and towns across the UK

Ministers reject calls to legislate to clarify process for university going bust, despite admitting arrangements are unclear

Labour peer to continue in position amid Cabinet shake-up, working with new education secretary Lucy Powell

Front foot action preferable to the compliance burden bound to follow the next round of bruising headlines, as sector awaits Royal Commission’s report

Course costs can be wound back without undue pain to students, universities or the government, under policy prescription

Manchester Central MP takes education brief as Jonathan Reynolds given business and science role

Blocks on international money transfers may force students to abandon degrees unless universities offer support before coming tuition fee deadline

New UK prime minister urged to adopt more progressive stance, including lifting ‘harmful’ student visa restrictions

Critics fear ‘act of self-harm’ as Dundee becomes latest to consider shutting public exhibition space

Scores of students suspended and expelled without due process, report reveals, amid heightened tensions because of war with US

If loan eligibility thresholds are to be designed in a way that protects vital second-chance routes into higher education, they might not be strong enough to achieve ministers’ aims; a more precise solution might be more appropriate, writes Chris Havergal

The government has announced that it will consult in the autumn over whether there should be a ‘minimum English language requirement’ to access student loans to ensure those who do so ‘are equipped to succeed in their studies’. Would that be a good idea? Seven observers have their say

Quality badge recognises programmes co-designed across borders, as EU moves closer to creating cross-continental degree

A year after the University of Virginia’s president was ousted amid anti-DEI attacks, his ‘apolitical’ successor Scott Beardsley says institutional neutrality does not diminish the institution’s commitment to upholding free speech

Birmingham Newman University takes crown as UK institution with most satisfied students

Regulator spends big on exit packages, with ex-director of access also departing with considerable sum

Overhaul aims to satisfy EU requirements, while giving the government time to come up with a replacement for controversial foundation model

Closer collaboration between institutions and industry aims to ensure more students start defence-related careers

Fresh push to tackle campus antisemitism comes with call for transparency in decision-making, and threat of fines

Union says slashing funding for healthcare professionals who work in universities is ‘at odds’ with government priorities

Country is hosting more international students drawn by lure of ‘cool Japan’ while rising costs keep domestic students at home

At UAL, James Purnell championed student loan reform and the creative industries, but he also had to contend with student protests and staff unrest

Latest cost-benefit analysis finds overseas enrolments generate nearly 10 times more money for UK than they take away

Arts institutions warn creative education is becoming increasingly hard to deliver as government slashes funding from September onwards

We discuss what the next three years could hold for UK universities under an Andy Burnham premiership

Leading university calls for fresh review of higher education as emergency budget adds to financial woes

While computer chip pre-eminence is alluring, it cannot be allowed to overshadow ‘other areas of advantage’, says NTU president

Recent US restrictions highlight how foreign powers could remove access to key technologies, argues parliamentary committee report

Parliamentary inquiry finds loans were mis-sold to students and tells government it cannot continue to ignore ‘broken’ system

Education minister defends reduction in light of tuition fee rises as Strategic Priorities Grant falls to £1.25 billion

Joining up school and employer networks will help students decide what education option is ‘right’ for them, says v-c

Sector pushes to reopen negotiations on controversial tax, while some call for the income raised to be reinvested in universities

Natalie Bennett insists resurgent environmental party remains committed to free tuition, and building a system where universities are no longer ‘places of fear’

‘Bad tendency to lift and shift’ undergraduate support on to postgraduate taught cohort, says leader of UK-wide study

Sham and shortcut consultations frowned on, as Canberra mulls more governance reforms

Students’ human rights breached by changes that mean those studying overseas are deprioritised for NHS training places, lawyers claim

Sector cannot afford to keep ignoring the enormous opportunities in the world’s fastest-growing continent, international experts warn

Likely next prime minister promises parity between academic and technical education

Just half of white working-class pupils say they’re likely to attend university, compared with 82 per cent of their middle-class peers

Introducing language requirements for whole sector undermines government’s widening access mission, universities say

Government measures to crack down on student migration may not have run their course, observers warn

Populist right-winger latest to take power in Latin America but experts say universities should expect a more nuanced approach than seen in US and Argentina

Prospective future prime minister ‘very engaged’ with sector challenges, according to Manchester leaders who have worked with him

Applicants with places to study in UK for coming academic year tell THE that government promise to evacuate them ‘changes everything’

Russell Group and German U15 urge EU leaders to ensure the next research framework is open to all ‘trusted partners’

Newly revised outcomes data show men who studied philosophy and history earned less than non-graduates with similar GCSE grades

New IFS research suggests going to university is still financially worthwhile for most – but a quarter see negative return

Ministers moot new rules for student finance as government continues crackdown on ‘low-quality’ courses

Shadow minister says institutions delivering strong graduate outcomes should be better funded, with money taken off those failing to deliver for students

Campaigners call for institutions to commit to giving new dads six weeks off as audit reveals stark differences in entitlements across sector

Prime minister fell short of pre-election promise to stabilise higher education sector as focus shifted to other priorities, say policy experts 

University of York leader will switch to fellow Russell Group member in October after seven years in charge

If compliance becomes universities’ ‘organising principle’, ambition will give way to risk management, Sheehy warns

As academics warn university reforms will threaten autonomy and decimate faculties, country’s education minister says changes are needed to align with labour market needs