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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...
read moreThe Teaching Excellence Framework: misguided, bureaucratic and damaging
The marketisation of higher education combined with the government’s efforts to regulate it has led to the worst of both worlds, argues Professor Norman Gowar, former principal of Royal Holloway, University of London Since I am long retired I cannot take part in the...
read moreNews round-up: The rich are far more likely to attend a top university than the poor
The gap between rich and poor starts to widen again – and responsibility for the rise in unconditional offers lies with just 20 universities Gap between rich and poor students at top universities widens for first time in decade Independent, 31/01/2019, Eleanor Busby...
read moreNews round-up: Restrictions on student loans could result in some universities losing a third of their intake
There is controversy over leaked plans to end loans to students with three Ds or less, and one university is shutting students out of campus libraries for failing to pay rent Oxford places ban on donations and research grants from Huawei The Guardian, 18/01/2018,...
read moreNews round-up: A university credit crunch is looming
A drop in EU student numbers, a huge increase in borrowing by universities and another overseas campus closes. The financial omens for the sector are not looking good Universities raise alarm over no-deal Brexit and EU student enrolment The Guardian, 04/01/2019,...
read moreNews round-up: Another £12bn added to the deficit as ONS changes the way student loans are recorded
Student loans will now be reclassified as public spending – and the Office for Students issues universities with a warning about grade inflation Philosophers urge Hull to think again over course cuts Times Higher Education, 21/12/2018, Matthew Reisz Leading...
read moreOut with the old, in with the new: Chris Skidmore replaces Sam Gyimah as universities minister
This week, a new universities minister takes the helm – and despite a gradual rise in students from disadvantaged backgrounds attending university, the top public schools still dominate Oxbridge entry Eton and Westminster among eight schools dominating Oxbridge The...
read moreWhat are metrics good for?
Last week, the CDBU's Professor Dorothy Bishop gave a terrific lecture looking at what metrics can offer in evaluating universities - and where they fail. If you were unlucky to miss it, here's your chance to listen to the lecture....
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