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The Augar Review: half a solution to half of the problem
The Augar Review is expected to recommend a cut in tuition fees. But instead of focusing on who pays for higher education, we should start by asking what higher education is for, argues Eric Lybeck, Leverhulme early career fellow at the Manchester Institute of...
read moreDenying loans to students with poor grades would only disadvantage the less well-off, argues David Willetts
In this week’s news round-up, the former universities minister attacks funding proposals that would lead to a two-tier system, while universities are becoming increasingly reliant on non-disclosure agreements Research must solve social problems, says top EU...
read moreA fair deal for students: thoughts on the upcoming Augar Review
The government’s attempt to marketise universities has gone woefully wrong, argues Professor Norman Gowar, former principal of Royal Holloway, University of London. It’s time for a radical rethink of student funding The long-awaited Augar Review was commissioned in...
read moreNews round-up: Nearly a quarter of English universities are in deficit
In this week’s news round-up, the number of English universities with operating deficits has risen to 32 – but the economy sees a net benefit from overseas students who stay Open University gave away £13 million in severance payments last year despite claiming they...
read moreNews round-up: A delay to the review of university finance – Brexit gets the blame
The long-awaited review of university tuition fees might not now be published until May – and vice-chancellors make some robust criticisms of the potential cost of subject-level TEF £7,500 tuition fees plan faces Brexit delay BBC, 01/03/2019, Sean Coughlan The...
read more‘A small cadre talking amongst themselves’: the problem with university governance
Without proper information and an understanding of wider concerns, governing bodies will continue to make poor decisions, argues Professor Norman Gowar, former principal of Royal Holloway, University of London News that some universities are in financial...
read moreThe problem with TEF – a look at the technical failings
Professor DV Bishop outlines the multiple flaws in the TEF methodology In a previous post I questioned the rationale and validity of the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF). Here I document the technical and statistical problems with TEF. How...
read moreNews round-up: A financial crisis hits Reading – but it’s not the only university with money troubles
Struggling universities are cutting staff – and a survey reveals just how unpopular TEF is More job cuts on cards unless tuition fee cap lifted, v-c warns Times Higher Education, 15/02/2019, Jack Grove A sector leader has warned that more leading UK universities...
read moreTEF: an ill-conceived solution to a wrongly-posed problem
The Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework represents a lamentable failure to engage in critical thinking, argues Professor DV Bishop If you criticise the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF), you run the risk of being dismissed as an...
read moreTeaching Excellence Framework consultation
This is your opportunity to provide input into the CDBU's response to a "Call for Views”. The closing date for responses is 13 February. You can find out more about the consultation by looking at the background notes at the end of his document. Please put your...
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