Private sector

Capita to take on running of UK student exchange programme from British Council

Latest attempt to replicate Darpa brings bipartisan praise but also wariness of potential harm to basic health research

Embattled university president in staunchly conservative state sees business-world allies valuing benefits of under-fire course

Providing opportunities for entrepreneurism and learning from start-up culture is no longer a cool optional extra for universities − it is a necessity, says Sam Robertson

After 20 years working as a quantity surveyor, Tom Woodbury shares his key discoveries since starting his first academic role in May

Academics recognise need but fear loss of attention on basic science

One in 12 students now pays to go private in Germany, attracted by ‘niche’ courses, smaller classes and flexible learning schedules

Unite Students’ executive pay deals prompt union criticism of ‘massive rises funded by public money and student debt’

US’ top producer of research papers hopes stance will force major gains in open access

With state intervention back in vogue, and publishers’ profit margins still sky-high, journals could be the next monopoly to come under scrutiny

Strong turnout in ballot over USS changes ‘sends a clear message’ that union members will take action to protect retirement fund, says UCU

Firm steps up collaboration with university as world’s biggest tech companies race to harness quantum physics

Universities cannot wash their hands of responsibility for who is booked to speak on their premises, says Michael Marshall

US, Australia show 'overly generous' rules on for-profits are dangerous, say researchers

Overleaf’s John Hammersley on what drove his doctorate and transition from universities to industry

Too often universities are not speaking early enough with private accommodation providers on what types of provision are needed, a conference hears

Weiming Education Group, the largest provider of private schools in China, is branching out into the US

Academic casts doubt on universities’ spin-off success and impact on SMEs

Times Higher Education World University Rankings data reveal the 20 best institutions based on private-sector investment per academic

Partnership of five universities has so far helped new businesses raise more than £1bn

Comments come amid debate over whether to permit for-profit institutions to operate in the country

We talk to the research council CEO about pharmaceutical drugs modelling and a childhood interest in studying animal remains

Meanwhile, Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance and Chinese medicine college among those allocated publicly funded places

Allowing private sector to flourish is best route to vastly increase access to ‘good, not great’ higher education, BRICS and Emerging Economies Universities Summit hears

Universities were once urged to ape the governance models of the Square Mile, but big business could learn from some collegiate practices, suggests Malcolm Gillies

US-owned institution becomes Arden University

We talk to the lawyer, academic, former pro-chancellor and founder of a private university in Nigeria

Complexity of government initiatives to help commercialise university research under scrutiny 

Tribunal judge notes Raj Kumaran’s ‘unblemished disciplinary record’

'Uncertainties' following takeover of the private university mean it will not take part in talks to form group, says Regent's head

An investigation into a for-profit college by the UK’s quality watchdog has found that a fifth of students in a sample failed to show up to any classes at all, despite receiving public funding

Applications suspended until audit of processes and guidance is complete

James Tooley ran into trouble while researching low-cost private education in developing nations

The headmaster of the independent college reflects on his move to the helm of a private university

The University of Warwick has scrapped controversial plans to use a scheme called TeachHigher to employ hourly paid teaching and research staff

Watchdog finds reports of fighting in classroom at private provider and sets six-week deadline for action plan

Amity chancellor claims traditional institutions are lagging behind on research investment

Admissions procedures and student retention at St Patrick’s flagged, as well as ‘fighting in the classroom’, although other areas pass scrutiny

But Home Office revokes private college’s licence to sponsor overseas students

The marks of private provider’s first cohort of graduates make Anthony Grayling feel more vindicated than ever

QAA to review AA Hamilton College after identifying ‘a number of significant weaknesses’

SLC fee payments to private college suspended pending BIS investigation with a QAA report expected in April

The public cost of the coalition government’s private college “fiasco” could be in the region of £100 million

The government wants to cut the number of students with public funding recruited by “poorer quality” private colleges offering sub-degree courses

Cut in support for private study has share prices falling

The government has announced a series of new restrictions on private colleges, including “rapid response” investigations of fraud allegations.

Students at college are accessing nearly £96m of SLC funding

Students enrolling at ‘lousy’ private colleges should not be allowed to access public funding, a former education minister and vice-chancellor has said

Kevin Fong examines his responses to £35,000 a year degree

‘Institution level’ designation granted to ifs University College in August makes it first to win the status since 2006

Members of the Independent Universities Group want to distinguish themselves from ‘dodgy’ for-profit colleges

Andrew McGettigan considers the findings of the National Audit Office’s investigation into alternative providers

CentreForum thinktank argues that rapid growth has been a ‘good thing’ and that private institutions have been subjected to unfair regulation

Two big providers again make the designated list but few details offered about others

University of Buckingham says academic standards at Medipathways College, whose courses it validates, ‘remain strong’ despite QAA report

The for-profit education sector is likely to boom over the next few years, an investment bank has predicted

Andrew McGettigan visits one institution, using it as a case study to explore concerns about the coalition’s policies

Watchdog responds after business secretary’s ‘dross’ remark

A private college has been cleared by the UK’s quality watchdog after it investigated claims over student recruitment and attendance

Private colleges would need to subscribe to the higher education ombudsman service under plans proposed by the Labour Party.