University funding/finances
Some commentators have urged the UK to replicate German universities of applied science. It’s not that simple, says Neil Shirtcliffe
Hungarian Academy of Sciences will ‘continue negotiations’ after government bid to take charge of research financing
European Union students enrolling in 2019-20 will pay the same fees as UK students
Last week’s legislative delay has not stopped the government tightening the screws on student debt
Controversial legislation will not be considered before August
Post-18 review likely to be pressed by government to lower fees without extra spending
Appealing to students and their families made electoral sense for the Labour Party, but its promises have saddled it with a lot of low-value spending, says Roger Smyth
Fee-free policy cheaper than expected, as enrolments remain subdued
New analysis shows regions were benefiting directly from uncapping of places
Minutes show investment board saw draft of council decision against full divestment
Regional universities say complex measures are needed to do justice to teaching standards
If the Australian government wants to link university funding to student satisfaction, it must ensure that scores reflect more than students’ gender, wealth or ease of passage, says Julie Hare
The Oakland Promise, like a number of local schemes in the US, aims to be a ‘cradle to career’ programme moving more of the city’s children into higher education. John Morgan visits California to assess it
Only a completely new institutional structure will see teaching and research on organisations become a proper, socially responsible subject, and not merely a cash cow, says Martin Parker
Populist Doug Ford wants to expand mandate of province’s higher education regulator
Danny Dorling suggests limiting debts to pre-2012 levels
Further education has suffered a dark decade in Australia, but now even universities are beginning to think things have gone too far. John Ross reports
Sector vulnerability highlighted as business model tips further towards international education
The boom in international students and researchers on campus has obvious benefits, but Australian universities risk going financially bust if they stop coming, and maybe even if they don’t
Queensland says A$125 million (?71 million) project ‘makes a clear and bold statement’
Slash interest rates and reintroduce maintenance loans, says critical report
Dramatic cuts to public funding and an exodus of talent in the midst of an economic crisis endanger country’s position as a leader in Latin American higher education
Widely varying tuition fees and financial aid programmes prevent students from making fully informed decisions, and policymakers from understanding the effects of interventions, say Ross Finnie, Richard Mueller and Arthur Sweetman
Head of Higher Education Authority acknowledges ‘political appetite’ for organisation to take on stronger regulatory responsibilities
The initial botched attempt to draw up a shortlist of institutions eligible for extra funding does not augur well, writes Pushkar
Government backs report proposals to increase regional people’s participation
As the EU’s proposals for its Horizon Europe research funding framework near publication, the UK must commit to playing a full role, says Paul Boyle
Policy shift in Australia could penalise institutions that focus on widening participation, warns pro vice-chancellor
But study by French academics says they tend to perform more poorly on research owing to multi-campus nature of many institutions
No money left for universities after country’s government introduces free higher education
Giving Irish undergraduates continued access to home fee status and loans could be discriminatory, experts warn
University faces criticism for ‘property developer’ strategy in wake of Oxford’s ?750 million issuing
With the consultation now closed, Philip Augar’s review of English post-18 education must begin the hard work of devising substantial but cost-effective proposals, says Andy Westwood
NAO says government’s oversight of organisation is ‘not up to date and lacks clarity’
Universities and sector experts welcome opposition pledge as boost for students and labour market
Employers make final offer for 2018-19
Nordic country’s higher education system punches above its weight in Universitas 21 ranking
Teaching grant allocations by OfS reveal losers from ?30 million drop in funding to aid retention
The demands of the job take their toll, but rigorous application of the smell test can limit the damage, say Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and Francine Trachtenberg
Humanities subjects set to be hardest hit by restructure
Regional students and research facilities claim the spoils in a benign budget for universities
Reduction in graduate numbers to hit economic growth and tax revenues, says pre-budget modelling
Government says new student debt figures strengthen the case for change
Theresa May’s call for price competition rejected by sector across the board
Whichever parties form the new Italian government, higher education and research are unlikely to be priorities, says Davide Donina
As Malaysian politicians flirt with fee-free higher education, our Asia-Pacific editor John Ross, reflects on how promises of free tuition are often at the detriment of more useful policy
Universities in the former East Germany are now on a par with those of western Europe while others in the former Soviet bloc still lag. David Matthews visits Poland to explore why
Land-grant university’s seven-year tuition freeze under former Republican governor means out-of-state recruitment drive
Combining egalitarian access, prized vocational education and elite research universities, the ‘Swiss paradox’ may offer international lessons
Ten years into the programme, German universities remain focused on traditional markers of success, say Andreas Knie and Dagmar Simon
Trade unions asking for a 7.5 per cent uplift or an extra ?1,500, whichever is greater
University strategising in the days before JoJo, BoJo and Brexit was more back-patting than visionary, but what universities need now is a plan for survival, says John Cater
Cost pressures rule out a resumption of uncapped system as we know it, former top bureaucrat says
The protests against pensions reforms reflect not just self-interest but also anger about working conditions and a sense that universities are losing their way. Jack Grove explores how proposed changes to the USS strained and broke bonds of trust
History shows that the Belt and Road initiative will be successful only if it boosts human capital, as well as physical infrastructure, says Alan Ruby
Academic gatherings may be fun, but they do little to advance knowledge. To justify the public spending that supports them, such events must do more to provide benefits to those who don’t attend, argues Nicholas Rowe
Seoul pulls funding from Johns Hopkins centre, sparking row over interference
Latest data from the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey show University of London was biggest provider in terms of course days
Universities need to raise funds from potentially mercurial financial markets without losing sight of their long-term missions. It’s a delicate balance
Universities should emulate the private sector in a positive way by eliminating costly duplication, says a worker in professional services
