UK higher education policy
Limits of current model mean trying something different can be challenging, according to Cara Aitchison, as government discussions start on future university funding
There have been more winners than losers since domestic student recruitment was uncapped in England. But without better stewardship, all institutions must do what they can to swing the market in their favour, regardless of national priorities or local needs, say David Maguire and Alex Bols
Universities must ensure procedures for handling sexual misconduct complaints are fair, transparent and supportive for all parties, says Jo Nuckley
Flat £925 charge seen as better outcome for sector overall, but institutions least able to absorb the cost expected to be hit the hardest
After a shambolic Budget day, it is hardly surprising that universities have been landed with a costly and overcomplicated international student levy, writes Nick Hillman
Fee caps for next two academic years confirmed by government post-budget, as students fear extra support will ‘barely scratch the surface’
Chancellor confirms details of controversial tax on income from overseas students, while universities also expect to be hit by changes to pension tax rules
Skills minister also promises to work with sector to help improve international student compliance ahead of levy introduction
Plaid Cymru has pledged to probe Seren Academy programme and clamp down on student grants being used outside of Wales
The government needs to signal its demand for elite foreign language skills before more universities leave provision to inferior alternatives, says Ian Proud
Providing a £4,000 grant for low-income students on priority courses could cost about £500 million, compared with £2.6 billion to restore former system
Research behemoth’s plans to better coordinate staff at faculty level met with fierce opposition, amid fears of pay cuts and demotions
Last-ditch attempts to minimise harm of incoming tax on international student fees splits sector, as research intensive universities set to save millions but post-92s would pay more
New incentives needed to encourage collaboration and specialisation among providers, conference hears
The provision of accommodation, recreation and even welfare services remains a central part of the UK university model even in an era of massification. But as cost pressures eat into both students’ and universities’ budgets, there is a growing sense that something has to give. Patrick Jack reports
No one has come up with a better way of convincing the Treasury to bring back maintenance grants, skills minister tells social mobility event
Cross-party committee calls for higher household income threshold for maximum student support loans as more struggle to afford university
Cost to sector ‘significant’ as reports say chancellor planning to limit tax-free contributions
Labour to encourage people granted asylum to better assimilate and support themselves by introducing pathway to enrol in university
First post-Covid increase in early undergraduate applications among mature students shows adults are rethinking their options in times of economic crisis
Legal restrictions prevented Australian universities from sharing financial documents despite completing merger, former deputy vice-chancellor reveals
Medical training organisations write to health secretary Wes Streeting as call for evidence takes ‘narrow focus’
Universities complaining about over-regulation should stop committing ‘own goals’ with franchising and grade inflation, says new OfS chair who believes Labour reforms can pave way to stronger sector
Wider range of graduate outcomes must be considered over longer time horizon, say panellists at THE event
Regulator indicates it will act when financial pressures impact student choice and ‘supply of critical skills’
Lack of supervisors and ‘uneven’ quality ‘deterring’ students, paper says, arguing that radical overhaul is needed
‘Clever’ linkage to maintenance grants could encourage Scottish policymakers to adopt Westminster proposal, conference hears
Timetable for phasing out testing on animals for antibody research and drug analysis is too demanding and may risk patient safety, argues expert
Birmingham professor to temporarily oversee access and participation at English regulator following departure of John Blake
Focus on traditional subjects at GCSE level has not helped pupils get into top universities, says Becky Francis’ report on school curriculum
Governments leaning on agencies to convert autonomous institutions into ‘strategic national asset’ but face task like ‘herding cats’
The Teaching Excellence Framework’s reliance on existing outcomes and satisfaction data, as proxies for teaching quality, has always invited criticism. But with the OfS now proposing to use it to assess compliance with regulatory conditions, the TEF might have finally found its niche. Juliette Rowsell reports
Welsh government follows England in increasing its fee cap as result of financial pressures faced by institutions
Policymakers should take a broad view of the value of degree courses when building our future workforce, says Charlotte Hallahan
Key part of new legislation unlikely to come to fruition for several years, campaigners fear, creating confusion for those who feel rights have been infringed
Former Open University vice-chancellor fears ‘over-consumption’ of higher education is not addressing country’s challenges
UK told to strengthen and protect its visa offer to international scientists if it wants to achieve ambition of becoming Europe’s leading life sciences economy
Proposal to take cut of international earnings now seen as inevitable after ministers tied idea to reintroduction of maintenance grants
The post-16 White Paper was a missed opportunity to correct a mistake that will stymie government missions in areas like housebuilding, says John Somers
Universities would look to ‘game’ new metric for testing learning gain, critics warn, with external examination defended as ‘best we’ve got’
Splitting up degree programmes into smaller parts could aid lifelong learning but students risk being seen as dropouts under current system
New vice-chancellor at London South Bank discusses FE-HE integration, universities’ reputation problem and what he learnt from years at top of Civil Service
‘More interventionist, more activist’ stance from government will result in deep changes to the sector, but vice-chancellors say key details missing
Formalising process around market exit would make it impossible for institution to come back from the brink, fears UUK chief
Questions will be asked about the Office for Students’ fitness to take on extra powers over quality, agents and franchising, says Diana Beech
To understand the government’s approach to education, we must await more announcements. Let’s hope they go further, says Nick Hillman
Course completion rate restrictions seen as way to tackle issue as peers mull whether new law is needed to stop student claimants
Government commits to raising tuition fees and maintenance loans, with universities expected to deliver higher-quality teaching and more specialised research in return
Bridget Phillipson says fees to rise with inflation for next two academic years with automatic annual increases then set to be introduced
Higher education institutions could be penalised if they offer courses deemed subpar as universities await Labour’s reform plans
Mounting institutional deficits form backdrop to coming Holyrood campaign as nationalist party looks to extend grip on power
Threat to academic freedom from secret recordings of seminars being passed to state governments must be taken seriously, says Office for Students free speech lead
School-leavers incentivised to move away from local area to attend university, despite the benefits that staying put can bring, according to MillionPlus
UUK calls on government to hit pause on fee levy plans amid fears chancellor will progress policy next month
Universities’ manifesto ahead of 2026 Senedd poll also wants independent commission on participation
Regulator says universities should only enter partnerships when they are satisfied that teaching and support standards will be maintained
Loss of EU students made recruitment more commercial and universities more insular, argues new book
Training sessions to be rolled out to educate university staff on identifying harassment and supporting students
UK policymakers urged to replace ‘outdated’ system with nationwide digital programme for logging academic credentials
Attempts to quell universities’ fears about competition laws may actually be heightening anxiety over collaboration in cash-strapped sector
