Higher education policy

Queen’s and Ulster can take part in Science Foundation Ireland’s Investigators Programme

Arguing the case for market forces in higher education will become harder if a university looks likely to fail, warns Emran Mian

George Osborne “must step back” from forcing cuts “that will cause such damage to universities”, the Universities UK president has warned.

Universities face “difficulties” in planning student recruitment because of a row in government on whether to scrap funding for the poorest students.

Figures show effect of £9,000 tuition fees and relaxation of student number controls

UEA head blames home secretary for UK’s first fall in international students

Does more mean better or worse?

Delayed approval from No 10 raises questions about future of role

Vince Cable has told MPs he agrees that scrapping student opportunity funding would “most impact” groups such as low-income and disabled students.

A vice-chancellor has backed those fighting to save funding for poorer students that is under extra pressure now research money is said to be “safe”

Peers to look at whether damage is being done to universities

The number of non-EU students at UK universities fell by 1 per cent last year, the first such decline ever recorded.

Party’s former universities secretary proposes radical policy change for general election manifesto

Scientists can speak more freely without fear of being sued, explains Síle Lane

Familiar scenarios may have academics rolling, or reeling, in the aisles

Student Loans Company payments suspended until proof given to support residence claim

Student opportunity fund to be slashed in grant letter, says Million+

It is “hard to see” how an independent Scotland could legally continue to charge students from the rest of the UK tuition fees

V-cs fail to get David Willetts’ commitment to protect research spending

Times Higher Education assesses the differing attitudes to rising FoI demands

Exiled scholars speak of hopes for renewal and fears for lost generation

More polling stations should be set up in universities to encourage students to vote, an MP has told the House of Commons.

By Elizabeth Redden, for Inside Higher Ed

The former head of England’s funding council thought the government was setting fees “too high” at £9,000.

Student Rights’ agenda questioned by LSE, Birkbeck, Goldsmiths unions

Times Higher Education columnists suggest some thought-provoking options for new year commendations

The reckless pursuit of rank threatens the academy’s future, argues Roger Brown

New head of Academy of Social Sciences probed government mistakes and found no shortage of data

We’ll make the principles of Robbins a 21st-century reality, minister promises

Academics describe the complex, arbitrary bureaucracy, emotional turmoil and career limbo wrought by Britain’s policies

International students could be hit by new healthcare charges for migrants in the UK.

A clutch of professors have been knighted while the former head of Loughborough University is among those made a dame in the New Year’s Honours.

Hepi head and HE analyst tell MPs that coalition sums don’t add up

‘Manhattan Project’ that some think could pave the way for variable fees proceeds with Nuffield funding

Reading v-c condemns Autumn Statement announcement as a purely political move

Sally Feldman on UUK’s attempts to reconcile incompatible truth claims

The government doesn’t need to resort to violence to ensure foreign scholars’ compliance, argues Erin Jessee

Beijing wants to supercharge its nation’s universities as it has its railroads, but might its ambitions falter for want of academic freedom and cultural change?

The government’s plan to finance extra student places by the future sale of student loans is like a Ponzi scheme, according to a thinktank.

It is “perfectly possible” to fund the government’s plan to abolish the student numbers cap by selling off graduate debt, David Willetts has claimed.

A leading activist has called on the academic community to do far more “to help promote and defend human rights”.

Controversial passage removed pending review as prime minister intervenes

The government’s plan to fund extra student numbers by selling loans omits billions of pounds in lost repayments, the chancellor has admitted.

Universities UK has published legal advice which backs its controversial guidance on the segregation of men and women at campus events.

The government’s claim it can fully fund extra student places by selling loans is “wrong”, according to the MP in charge of examining public accounts.

How big a role did scholars play in abolition of heinous system?

Following student protests, government mulls a sector report calling for change. Cyrille Cartier writes

Legislation a must after scrapping of student quotas

Admissions standards have fallen to balance budgets, Adelaide chief argues

Academics and students unite in condemnation of ‘violent’ crackdown on sit-ins and demonstrations

As long as applicants fulfil language, qualifications and maintenance criteria, ‘they are welcome’, says BIS spokeswoman

Martin Hall considers the legacy of academic values left by South Africa’s first black president

Russell Group critical of abolition of student numbers cap

The Treasury’s stated plan to fund expansion in student places by the sale of loans omits £1.7 billion in lost repayments arising from the sell off.

Sir Adrian Smith suggests protesters wanted police involved to generate ‘headlines’

Shadow universities minister delivers vision for sector in first major speech

Universities are to work with the government to appoint Muslim chaplains to “challenge extremist views” on campus.

The plan to fund extra student places by selling the student loan book is “nonsense” in economic terms, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Yesterday’s announcement that student number controls are to be abolished has attracted comment from all quarters. Here is a round-up of responses:

Universities across the UK have been paying tribute to Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, who has died at the age of 95.