UK higher education policy
Shift from quality enhancement to compliance needed to tackle issues with franchising, say supporters, but others doubt new regime will lead to material changes for students
Report by thinktank Equi calls for alternative student finance system, as well as minimum requirement for ‘faith-based’ spaces on campuses
England can better address skills needs and NEET crisis by funding start-up institutions in left-behind places, argues Policy Exchange
Human rights charity says actions taken to manage campus demonstrations have undermined universities’ role as ‘places of open enquiry’
Campaigners believe UK legislation could stop cover-ups around student deaths at university – but only if ministers insist it applies to sector
Some in union adamant that move is only way of fighting university cuts despite legal advice warning of risks of potential action
Recognition for ‘defending evidence-based science’ may help others ‘challenge unsupported scientific claims’, says neuropsychologist
Post-92s better at equipping students with digital skills – while most undergraduates interested in degrees tailored to them by technology
Former Bank of England chief economist and Burnham adviser says changes to ensure graduates are work-ready not happening at ‘right pace and scale’
Major survey finds reduction in internships and placements, casting doubt on vice-chancellors’ pledge to offer opportunities for all undergraduates
Cancellation of Radio 4 programmes dedicated to ideas is a huge blow for younger academics keen to connect with the public, say those who made their names on air
Hospitals have a shortage of specialist training places, but we need new medical schools in regions with the fewest doctors, says Irene Ctori
Newcastle and Westminster join Southampton in decision not to renew deal with plagiarism checker amid questions over how once-ubiquitous service is adapting to AI age
PVC for education to leave Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to head up independent sector standards assessor after period of interim leadership
Latest Home Office statistics show student visa bids hit five-year low for pivotal recruitment month
Party’s higher education spokesperson calls for all university students to have at least English and maths GCSEs
Social mobility charity urges universities to double down on access efforts after releasing new analysis showing benefits of higher education
Students left underoccupied and ‘kicking their heels’ at university, according to former Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman
BCU leader tells Conservative conference that high-ranking universities ought not to be treated as a ‘template for the rest’
Leader of strike-hit Scottish institution will not seek third term of office
Inquiry to examine how managers treat whistleblowers after damaging tribunal defeat
Better to expand global partnerships to tap into huge demand for HE in the developing world, says SOAS University of London leader Adam Habib
Fallout over differential university fees suggestion continues, amid suggestions that the Russell Group head is saying the quiet part out loud
US retreat means the UK has unique opportunity to become the ‘global destination of talent’, but risks squandering it, v-cs and politicians tell Labour conference
But universities should increasingly look to establish a relationship between students, regions and local communities, Labour conference hears
Head of new mission group for smaller ‘research-led’ universities rejects minimum tariff and differential fee plans endorsed by larger institutions
Polling suggests sector is public’s lowest priority for education investment
International House Association president says sector is speaking too much to itself when advocating for overseas students
Chief executive Libby Hackett says top universities should charge more as scale of teaching deficit is revealed
Government releases action plan to help sector earn £40 billion but critics say policy settings are making it impossible
The sad affair of Jason Arday has exposed how the assertion of scholarly expertise to shut down public criticism of universities is increasingly untenable, says Ian Pace
Education minister Cefin Campbell admits review will not remove the need for tough decisions on how to support both students and universities
Mary Curnock Cook tells sector to reflect on how digital provision has transformed journalism amid a ‘nightmare scenario’ facing higher education
Martin Lewis hopes autumn budget will address controversial threshold freeze, as MPs try to force total system review
Decline in applications for study in the UK will ‘harm delivery of everything universities do’, observers say
Guidance will be revised to make clear that repayment conditions can change, but no decision yet on unfreezing repayment thresholds
New appointee Alyn Smith acknowledges ‘very sharp’ divide on student migration between Westminster and Holyrood
‘Engagement should not be confused with endorsement,’ says Malcolm Press after speaking on a panel alongside Suella Braverman
Education spokesperson vows to lift medical school numbers and ‘remove the rubbish from our university sector’ by defunding 20 per cent of degrees
‘False dichotomy’ between technical and higher education and waves of policy changes spook employers and threaten investment in system, sector leaders warn
As he prepares to retire, Arden vice-chancellor reflects on challenges running for-profit institutions
Regulator says it will adopt more collegiate attitude following High Court defeat
Minister tells peers OfS and others will closely examine findings of ‘independent’ probe
University told to show it can balance new commercial pressures with retaining its academic ethos to prove new model is ‘credible’
Estates teams already facing large backlog of maintenance issues will struggle to retrofit campuses to cope with rising temperatures, experts say
Former lawyer takes on brief in Scottish government amid wide-ranging review of university system
To avoid undermining policy priorities, significant decisions affecting universities and students must be centrally managed, says Rachel Hewitt
Elite universities’ growing selectivity fuels revival of back-up option, but no guarantees trend will continue
Paris-based higher education group eyeing more UK investment says it won’t rule out any category of institution
Sector’s worsening financial situation laid bare by new analysis conducted as part of wide-ranging review of university system
Long-delayed financial statement shows institution cut staff expenditure and brought in more grants to offset recruitment woes
Burnham government seen as more likely than Starmer to act on growing calls to relieve pressure on young graduates
Devolved powers can better integrate the post-16 system but England’s national architecture pulls in the other direction, say Nic Beech, Fran Darlington-Pollock and John Blake
Ben Macpherson leaves government after serving just three months in newly expanded role
Any concessions made by new prime minister likely to be fiercely opposed by universities fearful of losing millions of pounds in income
Campaign groups say regulator should expect influx of cases, but many academics are still not aware that the long-delayed complaints scheme is set to launch
Braverman targeting ‘lawful residents’ with plans to ‘ban foreign students’ from accessing loans, says UUK chief
Funder told to change its eligibility criteria described as a ‘de facto ban on supporting new organisations’
Rush to integrate artificial intelligence indiscriminately across the curriculum ignores the true purpose of higher education, say Jelena Belic and Kritika Maheshwari
Specialist provider shuts after losing grant support, with more than 200 students impacted
