University admissions off to busiest start ever
A quarter of a million higher education places were confirmed within the first few hours after students received their A level results yesterday. By 1pm, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service had confirmed 221,109 places, 30,000 more than at the same point last year. A total of 425,671 people applied for places through UCAS this year, a 2 per cent rise on last year.
Further details: www.ucas.com
Wales's largest university goes bilingual
Welsh speakers dealing with Cardiff University (Prifysgol Caerdydd) can expect a response in their own language from this month, following approval by the Welsh Language Board for the university’s Welsh Language Scheme. It means members of the public will be now be able to telephone university staff or speak to them face to face in Welsh and receive publications and correspondence in Welsh.
Spiritual activity north of the border
Neo-paganism and shamanism will be studied as part of a new course on spirituality being developed by Stirling University. Gavin Flood, of the university’s department of religious studies, said that while there had been a marked decline in adherence to conventional forms of religion, there had been a growth in spirituality.
English football discriminates off-the-field
England's football clubs scour the world for playing talent irrespective of race or nationality. But they come close to institutional racism when it comes to choosing their administrators and other non-playing staff, according to researchers at Leicester University. Only two ethnic minority people have senior posts in English football clubs.