UK higher education policy
For the initiative to fulfil its potential, we need funding incentives, clearer understanding of demand and better policy alignment, says Jamie Roberts
Regulator says ‘prolonged litigation’ not in best interests of students or universities after High Court blocked record fine
Pressure grows on institutions to pause major restructures while sector awaits news of how much coming changes will save employers
Education should be used to create more peaceful future at time of global upheaval, minister tells global gathering
Accessibility is not simply about whether procedures exist. It is about whether people can realistically understand and navigate them, says Helen Megarry
MPs revive proposal to hold back portion of university leaders’ pay, but some question whether policy designed for bankers would make any difference
Head of team that supports staff with visa issues accused of conflict of interest after standing for party that wishes to abolish leave to remain
Under half of Universities UK members sign up to take part in scheme that intends to foster more flexible, lifelong study
Change of government sparks optimism, but some warn plans to keep students in Wales must be ‘carefully handled’
Specialist who worked at heart of government during transnational education boom discusses the underrated value of education exports, the complex nature of quality assurance and the impact of Whitehall cuts on future expansion
Sutton Trust says findings support argument that value of higher education should be judged on more than post-university salaries alone
Ministers urged to protect budget for ‘strategic priorities’ as government funding cuts over past decade place higher burden on graduates
New flagship university-based research centres may signal end of intentional sidelining of pedagogy academics
Vice-chancellor defends deep job losses at embattled institution, insisting restructure will help it adapt to changed environment in higher education
Uncertainty remains on whether students would be locked out of classrooms mid-semester if a university folded, education committee warns
Regulator imposes extra conditions on institution following probe into computing courses that Northampton says was based on outdated data
Party predicted to abandon efforts to ‘out-Reform Reform’ despite losing half of seats, potentially easing pressure on universities struggling to recruit international students
UK nationals have increasingly looked abroad for medical training in recent years in light of caps on domestic places, but new laws mean they will find it harder to secure a job at home
Skills minister acknowledges commitment to reducing net migration is causing ‘competing priorities’ in UK government
University says programmes no longer financially viable owing to drops in recruitment
UK prime minister warns universities will be required to publish information on scale of problem and what steps they are taking to tackle it
Suella Braverman says university system is “rigged” as she calls for change to student finance rules
Analysis of university finances finds increasing student numbers and income can cause costs to rise faster than revenue
Turmoil continues for students wrongly issued maintenance loans, while universities argue regulatory changes are needed if they are to deliver on government’s drive to support non-traditional learners
Politicians reluctant to spell out plans to fix university funding issues as review continues, while cross-party commitment to free tuition fees leaves few avenues open for negotiations
Shared, reasonable costs should be directed towards greater diversity of provision, say Chris Husbands and David Laws
Institution begins consultation on job losses but union says it is in the dark over who is at risk
Education Sector Action Group set to meet for first time to discuss plans to enact new strategy
Right-wing party takes different approach to higher education in devolved nations, making some promises that experts say would never appear in a nationwide manifesto
Glasgow Caledonian University’s new vice-chancellor discusses impact of UKVI action plan on recruitment, collaboration opportunities in more collegiate Scottish sector and her hopes for university funding post-election
Renaissance historian to take over role at time of change for research-intensive grouping
The LLE is seen as a key part of maintaining employability in rapidly changing employment sectors. Yet with less than six months to go before applications open for the stand-alone modules central to the vision, interest among learners and providers alike appears lukewarm at best. Helen Packer reports
Institutions required to publish information on complaints, refunds and compensation under latest OfS proposals
Historic tuition fee rates adjusted to current levels, leaving those who have undertaken traditional three-year programme £9,790 to play with
Party objects to marketisation of higher education, promising to maintain free tuition and fight for longer graduate visa
With undergraduates viewing education as a transaction and AI offering helpful summaries, reading is dying out on UK campuses, says Agnieszka Piotrowska
Post-election coalition could see parties collaborate on funding review, but reforms may be hard to negotiate with Westminster
Treasury to generate £679 million in surplus from last Plan 2 cohort, analysis shows, with graduates paying thousands more than under original system
Pretending research environments could be measured by metrics or policies ignored how scholarship actually relies on peer-to-peer relations unique to academic cultures, say Martin Holbraad, Dan Nightingale and Aeron O’Connor
The former education secretary’s throwaway line arguably fired the starting gun for a new era in which scholarly expertise could be dismissed and social media sages exalted. Ten years after the notorious putdown, Patrick Jack caught up with Michael Gove and his critics on the legitimacy and legacy of his infamous barb
Universities prioritising ‘rapid expansion’ over sustainability threaten survival of the entire English sector, new report warns
Extending UK government technology funding to universities could save sector millions of pounds a year, argues new report
Conservative manifesto ahead of Holyrood poll promises to promote alternatives to higher education, but declines to row back on totemic fee policy
Increase in visa refusals expected to be used as primary method for addressing asylum concerns for politically important nations
Universities and employers rethinking training strategies as government targets apprenticeship funding at younger learners
A wave of dismay about student loans has flooded the UK media recently, with graduates complaining that ever-rising debt levels are threatening to capsize their personal finances. How could or should the government bail them out? We ask the experts: Philip Augar, Kate Ogden and Nicholas Barr
No evidence of ‘systemic malpractice’ implied by ministers when implementing new ‘visa brake’, according to research-intensive group
Research-intensive universities also pledge to remove barriers to medical careers as part of bid to support strained NHS
Education secretary when Plan 2 loans were introduced tells THE that universities ‘would be in even shakier position’ without his changes
Campaigners call for ‘more structured’ approach to helping students in crisis zones after shock visa block leaves applicants in limbo
Sector will face heightened questions about role and purpose unless it engages with new political forces, report warns
Such students’ uneven degree results suggest that we might be funnelling some young people into university too early, says Alex Blakemore
Closer links between universities and industry would help to fix 120,000 shortfall in required technical staff by 2035, says study
Government pulls money as part of efforts to prioritise funding for young people but universities say move ‘not in interests of economy’
Universities told to adjust to new attitudes on HE expansion, as figures show boom in new entrants who have few to no qualifications
System being pushed to the brink as sharp increase in number of students not matched by investment in teaching capacity, report highlights
Treasury committee begins inquiry after calls to restrict government’s ability to change loan conditions after they have been taken out
Breakdown in relationship between universities and ministers has made planning for the future even more difficult, according to former Research England chair
Federation launches new online learning system to allow students to dip in and out of modules at their own pace
‘Radical’ reform to English model should also involve shorter courses and a move away from ‘residential’ system, says former Open University v-c
