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News round-up: One institution tackles grade inflation – and a headteacher says that ‘any fool’ can get into university
Nottingham Trent University is cutting the number of firsts, while one of their academics has faced a backlash for encouraging students to register to vote Universities ‘central’ to solutions on UK regional inequality Times Higher Education, 15/11/2019, John Morgan...
read moreAcademics in UK universities – pressure vessels in a sea of metrics
A huge rise in mental health referrals amongst academics is the result of increasingly stressful working conditions, argues researcher and independent scholar Liz Morrish It is often said that lecturers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions. My...
read moreNews round-up: More strikes are on the way as UCU members vote for industrial action
University staff are to strike over pensions, pay and working conditions – and an imminent general election casts uncertainty over higher education policy December election puts UK policy progress on hold Times Higher Education, 01/11/2019, Simon Baker News that a...
read moreUniversity technical colleges – another expensive failure?
Martin Allen takes a look at the woes facing the programme to introduce technical schools sponsored by universities What’s happened to University Technology Colleges – the 14-19 schools created by one time Secretary of State Kenneth (now Lord) Baker? Citing...
read moreNews round-up: Female academics rise through the ranks more slowly
Female academics are less likely to reach senior positions than male ones, and since the referendum, there’s been a big rise in EU academics leaving the UK Gender not children 'holds women academics back' BBC, 17/10/2019, Hannah Richardson Women academics do not...
read moreAugar was a damp squib – here’s a better way to manage student finance
Norman Gowar was unimpressed by the Augar Review’s recommendations on student finance. He lays out an alternative proposal that would work for students, universities and taxpayers It is sad that the government’s attempts to marketise universities received scant...
read moreNews round-up: Labour could cap number of private school students going to university
As figures show that half of young people now go to university, Labour has announced plans to limit the number of students universities can accept from private schools UUK president aims to show degree value ‘not all about money’ Times Higher Education, 03/10/2019,...
read moreNews round-up: Education secretary backs a review of university admissions
A mixed bag this week: Gavin Williamson supports the OfS review into university admissions, a record number of disadvantaged pupils are winning university places and universities are likely to face delays to funding when the UK leaves the EU Ethicist warns...
read moreNews round-up: Jo Johnson resigns – and another strike could be on the way
Once again, the country finds itself without a universities minister, while plans to allow EU nationals to stay for only three years in the event of no deal could hit student recruitment Ucas accused of abusing its position with debt firm advert The Guardian,...
read moreNews round-up: University applications from 18-year olds have reached a record high, despite the demographic dip
As more 18-year olds are applying to university and more gain places through clearing, Labour wants to move to a system of applying to university after A-level results Knowledge exchange framework review before funding link Times Higher Education, 23/08/2019, Chris...
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