University funding/finances
The government’s innovation agency the Technology Strategy Board will see a £50 million boost to its budget this year, the government has announced.
V-c believes ‘radical solution’ is the way to rise up the rankings. John Morgan reports
Details have been released about proposals to allow universities in England to win more undergraduate places if they can show they are recruiting strongly.
Leader sought to guide Hefce through period of upheaval
Fossil Free urges universities to dump holdings in fuel companies
Universities are to benefit from a reduced administrative burden in supplying information about their costs, but government pressure to give more of such data to students has met with a cool response.
Existing legislation fails to cover Student Loans Company cash
The rest of the world thinks so, says Hefce funding chief
Geraldine Van Bueren says international law could help opponents of rising tuition costs in their battle
School pupils from poorer backgrounds could be contacted by the government to nudge them towards applying to university if they get good GCSE grades, David Willetts has said.
UUK chief looks to impact to save budget from Augean economy
Wales’ institutions gain funds as a result of cross-border flow under new fees regime
Gurminder Bhambra supports the students and staff contesting the hollowing-out of the University of Sussex’s collegial ideals
Steve Smith warns of looming budgetary issues that could send institutions off the road
It is morally wrong to deny University of Sussex students 24/7 support from flexible, professional campus services, says John Duffy
A huge cut to the Australian higher education budget announced just months before the next federal election is the largest since 1996, according to umbrella body Universities Australia.
Improved procurement could be the secret to balancing the sector’s books in tough times, Nick Petford and Andy Davies suggest
Demise of matched funding leaves majority of institutions worse off. David Matthews reports
Report says distribution would change little if based on institutions’ research council income
Could a Welsh institution’s success offer insights to help stragglers catch up?
Overall funding for Welsh universities is set to increase by 13.6 per cent next academic year.
Newcastle University is to launch a new £7 million centre for undersea and offshore engineering on the site of a famous former shipyard.
Better regional R&D strategies needed to access structural funds, sector told.
Speculation mounts that reform has diminished leadership role
Sir Alan Langlands is to leave his job as chief executive of England’s funding council to become vice-chancellor of the University of Leeds, where he has been welcomed as a “stellar figure” in higher education.
Tim McInnis, the former director of the alumni relations office at Durham University, has left the institution to join a cancer charity.
Austerity a greater threat than Moocs and private providers, writes John Morgan
Ministers advised to reverse ban on second degree funding
Further shrinkage as funding reforms take fuller effect
The English higher education sector last year saw its first real-terms cut in income since records began almost 20 years ago, while institutional finances will take a further hit this year because of the fall in student numbers under higher fees.
Universities UK has been asked by David Willetts to undertake a review of part-time study and make urgent recommendations in response to a report which shows a “dramatic decline” in part-time students.
‘Unpredictable outcomes’ of reform require ‘immediate attention
Scholars in arts and humanities departments vulnerable to subsidy cuts are fighting back. John Marcus reports
The tuition fee cap will remain at £9,000 in 2014-15, meaning the government is allowing most universities’ income to be eroded by inflation, while students’ grants for living expenses will be held back with a below-inflation rise.
Spending by English universities rose faster than their income did in the year before £9,000 tuition fees were introduced, while institutions again increased their reliance on fees paid by overseas students.
Universities plan cost-sharing groups once VAT exemption rules are clarified. By Jack Grove
Further austerity measures could wreak havoc with BIS’ stretched finances
Whoever wins the next election, uncapped enrolments and a big student loan book must be addressed, say observers
Student accommodation provider UPP has launched its first bond, backed by the income from student residences at five universities.
Private university’s new course awaits General Medical Council approval as critics decry projected £144,000 price
Coalition reveals ‘disturbing’ shortfall. David Matthews reports
Welsh universities lead the UK in terms of output quality per pound invested, says report from Learned Society of Wales
The Higher Education Policy Institute has mounted a successful drive to recruit more university partners, with the institutions helping to secure the independent thinktank’s long-term future.
The short-term benefits to the government of increasing student fees in England will be outweighed 6.5 times over by the long-term costs of the new system, according to a new report.
Hepi director predicts more cuts over higher student loan costs
US president Barack Obama has said that taxpayers “cannot continue to subsidise higher and higher and higher costs of higher education” in his annual State of the Union Address, and published proposals that would require colleges to meet performance thresholds to qualify for federal funding.
The next European Union research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, has been allocated a budget of almost €71 billion (£60.4 billion) in an agreement reached on 8 February.
England’s funding council has unveiled the sector’s total funding for 2013-14, stating that funding per student is on the rise under the new system of higher fees.
The sector must not let claims that application rates vindicate fees policy go unchallenged, says Liam Burns
‘Neurotic’ sector plays ‘zero-sum game’ despite cap on numbers
The University of Huddersfield has unveiled pioneering plans to raise funds for scholarships by lending money to small businesses.
Loss of international student licence exacts heavy toll on London Met. David Matthews reports
The critics of private-sector higher education can muster plenty of hostility - even hatred - towards its providers but precious few reasoned arguments, according to Peter Crisp
Loss of international student licence exacts heavy toll on London Met. David Matthews reports
Ucas data demonstrate wide-ranging impact of fees and funding changes. John Morgan reports
Ucas data demonstrate wide-ranging impact of fees and funding changes. John Morgan reports
