It's all in the balance
The growing middle classes will place huge demands on resources; universities have a pivotal role to play in the solution, says David King
The growing middle classes will place huge demands on resources; universities have a pivotal role to play in the solution, says David King

"It is difficult to avoid the phrase 'sinking ship'." That was how Jamie Targett, our Director of Corporate Affairs, responded to news that the University of Surrey had joined with Bath and St...
The evidence from Simon Lilley et al. of publishers earning excessive profits while reducing their tax bills raises further questions about the credibility of the Finch proposals for supporting open...
Regarding "Spare the special pleading" (Letters, 1 November). It is good to know that Kevin Smith's limited knowledge of pharmacy education has not inhibited him from expressing his strident views....
As deputy academic secretary at the University of Stirling at the time of the Queen's visit in 1972, I, inter alia, served as clerk to the discipline committee, which was anything but the "hopeless...
I am grateful to correspondents for pointing out a couple of slips of memory (perhaps inevitable after a gap of 40 years) in "A right royal rumpus" (Opinions, 11 October). Lord Wheatley was indeed...
The purpose of my speech to the Higher Education Forum was to emphasise how all sector organisations - universities, students' unions and oversight bodies - can learn from difficult cases ("More help...
Regarding "Universal lesson to be learned" (Leader, 1 November): I was struck by the statement that "many students will expect their lecturers to have a doctorate, with its guarantee of research...
"Universal lesson to be learned" rightly concludes that "there is no ignoring the fact that the qualifications of those who teach matter at all levels of education". However, becoming a skilled...
It was disappointing to read that the University and College Union appears to conflate a genuine opportunity for artists with continuing (and understandable) concerns about unpaid labour ("Union...

Longitudinal study adds to concerns raised about the future of UK research. Jack Grove reports
The sector is considering protecting its reputation among international students by creating an insurance scheme that would provide compensation or transfer to other courses for those affected if...
Survey stays intact after politicians and scientists put proposal on ice. Paul Jump writes
When it comes to higher education in the Republic of Korea, most of us would find it hard to answer key questions. What do you think about their university research priorities? Who would you partner...
The Council for the Defence of British Universities aims to repel the market forces that it says threaten the academy's values