Politics

David Willetts has criticised “curmudgeons” who call for the return of a binary divide between universities and polytechnics, while a Labour MP has said modern universities can teach older institutions a lesson.

International students add £120.3 million to the Sheffield economy each year, an in-depth analysis has concluded.

Universities and schools should collaborate more on classroom techniques to drive up standards in teaching, according to a senior Labour peer.

The vice-chancellor of Staffordshire University has been announced as the new chair of the Million+ group of post-1992 universities.

The number of visas issued to overseas students has fallen by a fifth although applications for university student visas have increased by 3 per cent, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics.

Confused political rhetoric on student visas threatens one of the UK’s greatest global assets, says Martin Davidson

Institutions need not subject international students to biometric attendance monitoring, agency reveals

But it continues with court case seeking to overturn home secretary’s decision to revoke Highly Trusted Sponsor status last year

Gove’s former top civil servant criticise coalition’s ‘naive’ emphasis on Russell Group

The government has rejected universities’ calls for overseas students to be withdrawn from the net migrant count, a move that may kill off hopes of securing the change in the current Parliament.

The lack of clarity over Research Councils UK’s new open access policy is “unacceptable” and government ministers should learn lessons from the confusion, according to a House of Lords report.

But private pupils do not suffer discrimination, expert argues

‘Change of tone’ will not arrest falling student numbers, critics argue. David Matthew reports

The visa process can trap students in a costly Kafkaesque limbo. To improve life for foreign scholars, the sector should halt its failed lobbying over policy and focus on publicising the misery caused by Byzantine bureaucracy, argues Simeon Underwood

Coalition reveals ‘disturbing’ shortfall. David Matthews reports

Plans would expose colleges and universities to competition from lower-cost alternatives, say observers

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.

David Cameron has welcomed news that five more universities have signed up to offer courses on Futurelearn, the UK’s massive open online course provider.

UK universities have announced a series of research partnerships and scholarships to coincide with the prime minister’s visit to India to bolster trade and education links.

The Russell Group of elite universities has declared its opposition to separating AS-levels from A-levels – three weeks after the proposals were announced.

NUS says decision shows ‘market is at heart of system’

Hepi director predicts more cuts over higher student loan costs

‘Summer reading lists’ no basis for policy, says don

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.

One of the most strident critics of the government’s plan to introduce baccalaureate-style examinations to replace GCSEs has welcomed the decision by Michael Gove to abandon the plan.

Staff costs may be slashed to plug budget hole

‘Freeing’ universities, tuition fees and possible graduate tax figure large as Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats craft policies

But critics say plans to relax peer reviews in some universities will introduce risk-based quality assurance by another route

The sector must not let claims that application rates vindicate fees policy go unchallenged, says Liam Burns

John Morgan reports on FTSE 100 firm’s HE strategy

Michael Gove is wrong, says Chris Hackley: a return to ‘traditional’ A levels will narrow access and do nothing to raise standards

A Tory MP renowned for pro-homeopathy views has been has been provisionally appointed as a member of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee.

The chairs of five parliamentary committees have written to the prime minister urging him to remove overseas university students from the net migrant target, highlighting “unprecedented” consensus between MPs and peers on the move.

Commissioner warns of heavy R&D cost should UK quit the European Union. Elizabeth Gibney reports

The University of London’s v-c reveals his opinions on issues confronting the sector to David Matthews

The government’s immigration policy harms student traffic from abroad and the economy, claims Shabana Mahmood

Politicians’ speech is often more a strategic exercise than an act of civic transparency, which can make it a turn-off, says John Corner

Financial fallout from a decision to leave the EU would, in reality, be minimal for higher education institutions, argues Alison Wolf

A university education department has warned that it may have to make redundancies as a result of government cuts to allocations of teacher training places.

Government rhetoric over visas is to blame for a perception that the UK is not a good place for international students to set up a business, according to a recent survey

International research unit will tackle ‘lack of data’ on higher education. David Matthews reports

The state and its agencies must stop their constant interference with a national success story, argues Ferdinand von Prondzynski

Loss of international student licence exacts heavy toll on London Met. David Matthews reports

After 12 months as Reading’s v-c, David Bell reflects on the pleasures (and occasional pains) of leading the institution

Hungary’s higher education reforms are facing fierce student opposition, as Kata Ámon reports

Loss of international student licence exacts heavy toll on London Met. David Matthews reports

Oft-criticised scholarship scheme’s riches will now follow the poor, BIS states. Jack Grove reports

Post-study employment changes and a shrinking ‘expat premium’ prompt second thoughts about value of overseas study. Joanna Sugden reports from New Delhi

The UCU is a democratic, future-facing endeavour proud to fight for both the one and the many, Sally Hunt affirms

New Office for Fair Access strategies will help universities learn what works best in their efforts to reach ambitious goals, says Les Ebdon

Whether spurred by lofty research ambition or the prosaic hope that one can live more cheaply than two, universities’ urge to merge can bring cultural as well as organisational challenges, as recent unions show. David Matthews reports

Oft-criticised scholarship scheme’s riches will now follow the poor, BIS states. Jack Grove reports

Mark Harper shares with John Morgan some good and bad news for the sector on immigration policy

Mark Harper shares with John Morgan some good and bad news for the sector on immigration policy

Whether spurred by lofty research ambition or the prosaic hope that one can live more cheaply than two, universities’ urge to merge can bring cultural as well as organisational challenges, as recent unions show. David Matthews reports