Latest UK news

Poor pay threatens UK science
PhD stipends at £9,000 are far too low, while pay and conditions for postdoctoral scientists are so bad they threaten the United Kingdom’s science base, according to a House of Commons science and technology committee report.

Welsh demand cuts rethink
The Welsh Assembly has called for an urgent review of higher education funding after an outcry from universities over forecast cuts. Lifelong learning minister Jane Davidson has written to Welsh funding council chief executive Steve Martin urging him to “revisit” last week’s higher education allocations.

College hopefuls shun online info
University applicants make little use of online information, according to a survey by the Universities and College Admissions Service. Most prefer prospectuses, and the telephone when they have queries, the survey found.
•Bill Stevely, principal of the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, has been appointed chairman of UCAS from August 1.

V-cs call for cash injection
Vice-chancellors have called for more investment in higher education. Roderick Floud, president-elect of Universities UK, told a seminar in London yesterday that he was optimistic about the demand despite “fluctuations” at some institutions.

Roman arm found in London
Archaeologists have found a bronze arm from a 2,000-year-old statue in a rubbish-filled ditch in the City of London. The life-sized left hand and forearm, possibly from a statue of Roman emperor Nero or Domitian, was found by a team from the Museum of London.

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