Cartoon by Ham

School grades are key to university achievement

Fewer students from state sector stems from poor schooling, study finds. Rebecca Attwood reports

Tutors need student mentors to refine teaching

Students should "mentor" their lecturers in order to improve teaching standards, new research suggests.According to the study, some university teachers hold an oversimplistic view of their students'...

Dual sector 'not fit for purpose'

Researchers say higher and further education concept lacks rationale, writes Rebecca Attwood

Vocational abilities trail scholarly skills on kudos

Parity of esteem between vocational and academic qualifications remains a myth, according to new research.Students with purely vocational qualifications have a much higher risk of not obtaining a...

Adult education underappreciated

Policymakers face a challenge if they are to convince adults who hold suitable university entry qualifications to pursue higher-level awards, according to a new study.As part of a drive to improve...

Hefce chief to take over as Birmingham vice-chancellor

Following a major reorganisation, new man steps up to the helm as old v-c retires. John Gill reports

Queen's Honours for stars of higher education

From vice-chancellors and policymakers to university chaplains and caterers, people from across the sector were recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list this week (see below for the full list...

UCU suspends assessment ban as Keele yields on restructuring

A breakthrough has been achieved in the industrial dispute at Keele University, where restructuring plans had driven the University and College Union to declare an academic boycott of the institution...

Use of headhunters to fill top jobs is 'morally lazy'

Sir David Watson says outsourced recruitment will 'deskill' the sector. Melanie Newman writes

Tiny pool makes choices for dean mighty lean

The pool of candidates applying to lead business schools is very small, and few among them have all the skills needed to succeed, says a report from the Association of Business Schools (ABS) and the...

Market focus at odds with scholars' priorities for sector

Expert says failure to sell government vision to staff could stymie delivery of policy, writes John Gill

'Humiliated' ex-Birmingham student seeks £10m

The University of Birmingham is being sued for £10 million by a former student.Canadian Ikenchukwu Ukevi-Aruevoru is claiming the sum as compensation for "damages, losses, expenses and debts" arising...

Standards lowered for rankings, says Alderman

A "league table culture" embraced by vice-chancellors is driving down university standards, an academic has said.Geoffrey Alderman made the claim in his inaugural lecture as Michael Gross professor...

Small fry must 'adapt or die'

Legal expert says stand-alone research institutes will need to find big partners. Olga Wojtas writes