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Education Blog Posts

Numbers drop in overseas student applications
The University of Lincoln is joining other universities across the country calling for the government to reconsider its decision to impose visa restrictions on international students.
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The Best Areas to Live in Nottingham: A Student Guide
Students residing in Nottingham live in all parts of the city, but some areas are more popular than others due to their close proximity to Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham.
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Calls for student visa rules to be scrapped
Professor Jennifer Watling, of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), said the restriction, introduced in 2024, has led to a fall in the number overseas admissions.
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Is it time to rethink university rankings?
Education is too complex, too multi-faceted, and too life-changing to ever be summarised in a bunch of data points and indicators.
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10 ways to make the most of a summer internship
Making the most of your summer internship involves more than just completing assignments, collecting completion certificates and earning stipends.
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How Travel Can Inspire Students to Pursue Creative Careers
The world is filled with inspiration, and for students with creative aspirations, travel can be one of the most powerful ways to ignite their imagination and passion.
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The Impact of AI on Student Placement Applications
Generative AI is transforming student placements. We increasingly find students using AI in placement applications, mirroring its role in their academic journey and in preparation for graduate employment.
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Why certified education counsellors are the wise owls every student needs
Certified education counsellors are not just well-meaning adults with a passion for talking about universities. They are trained professionals who have studied education systems, visa regulations, course structures, career pathways, and everything in between
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UK universities automating interviews face ‘deepfake’ applicants
British universities seeking to save time and money by automating their interviews with international students face a new threat: “deepfake” applicants.
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‘Positive signals’ for UK international recruitment in September
International student numbers for the next UK recruitment window are showing “positive signals” at the postgraduate level, according to early figures.
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How can UK universities avoid UKVI ‘action plans’?
The University of Glasgow and the education provider Study Group being placed on UKVI ‘action plans’ has reignited concerns about visa fraud at UK institutions
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Scotland eyes new graduate visa for international students
The Scottish Graduate Visa would be linked to a Scottish tax code and be issued on the understanding that recipients would live and work in Scotland.
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New UK government video targets international students
Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson addressed students considering studying abroad, highlighting the benefits of a UK education and promoting the country’s post-study work opportunities.
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UK universities face mounting cash flow problems
Universities across the UK have reported another significant fall in the amount of money they make, as analysis reveals the extent of the crisis facing higher educati
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Creating a memorable living experience for Chinese students
For Chinese students, the choice to come to the UK is driven by a range of factors: but first and foremost, it’s about improving their career prospects
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Income from UK tuition fee rise not enough to offset national insurance hikes
Our recent financial sustainability update provided evidence of the severe pressures facing the sector, and we need to prioritise our finite resources on this important issue
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BBC investigates alleged poor English “open secret” in UK universities.
The BBC is reporting that it is an “open secret” that international students with limited English proficiency can easily enrol in UK university courses,
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Weekend Reading: Education and Scholarship – An overlooked solution to the teaching dilemma
The traditional model of higher education institutions in the UK has largely relied on student recruitment as the primary means of funding both staff salaries and research activities.
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Reimagining the civic role of universities in a changing landscape – a new generation of value-creating, collaborative universities
We know that universities are drivers of economic growth and social mobility
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UK places three universities on action plans for visa sponsorship compliance
The UK Home Office has placed three universities on "action plans" for student visa sponsorship, citing breaches of sponsor requirements.
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University honoured for disabled access scheme
The University of Bradford has won a prestigious award for developing a system that makes it easier for disabled students to access scientific laboratories.
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University to close chemistry department
The university added that chemistry would continue to be taught where it was part of another subject, such as medicine.
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Net migration to UK hit record high of 906,000 in year to June 2023, revised figures show
Net migration to the UK hit a record high in 2023 of 906,000 in a period covering Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak’s premierships, revised estimates show.
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Alternative graduation makes us feel seen
An alternative graduation event has been held at Sheffield Hallam University for students who would have benefited from a quieter and less formal celebration.
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How significant is the role of the student press at UK universities?
One sign of a healthy functioning student democracy is the presence of a sharp, quick-moving student newspaper
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A post-compulsory education system which works for all
Locally, a high-skill economy will not simply depend on colleges and private training providers but on a coherent skills ecosystem
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Delivering economic growth: the case for a financially secure higher education sector
Universities have always curated their course portfolios but this is likely to become an ever-more regular process to ensure an agile response to our changes in income.
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UK survey reveals public support for international students
A recent study by the Policy Institute at King’s College London has provided insights into public opinion and their support for the number of international students at UK universities.
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OfS report hammers home universities’ finance woes
The OfS has released its latest modelling which points to a significant decrease in overall international student recruitment, with 16% fewer applications for visas in 2024 than in 2023.
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Higher education reform to back opportunity and protect students
The government has today (4 November 2024) unveiled a significant package of measures to support students and stabilise the university sector.
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To enable effective higher education governance, value it
Effective governance comes from valuing governance. There was a strong sense in the discussion that governance is not valued in higher education.
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Edinburgh University warns staff to expect job cuts
It comes after Dundee University admitted job cuts were “inevitable” and Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen placed 135 roles at risk of redundancy due to funding issues.
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6 Highest-Paying Master’s Degrees To Pursue In 2025
If you're planning to enrol on a master's degree program in 2025, one of the essential factors you should evaluate is its return on investment.
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Enhancing transparency in UCAS personal statement guidance: a traffic light approach
We believe that greater transparency in personal statement guidance is essential for UCAS’s reform to widen participation and address inequalities
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Bad ChatGPT Output? 5 Genius Prompts To Improve It In Seconds
Generic AI writing kills engagement but with the right tone adjustment, ChatGPT mirrors your unique voice and style, keeping readers glued to every word.
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Scotland university announces fully funded PhD positions for 2025
The University of Edinburgh, a public research university, is offering multiple fully funded PhD positions for the academic year 2025, in a wide range of research areas.
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I get paid to study for a university degree. I'm debt free and saving up to buy a house
The apprenticeship degree scheme was first launched in 2015 in response to reports from businesses about key skill shortages
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Adoping a regional tertiary education, research and innovation system in England: priorities, principles and practicalities
The financial pressures universities face have received a great deal of attention, and some universities are dangerously close to bankruptcy
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The fall in graduate salaries shows the argument for mass entry to higher education has failed
The student finance system is undoubtedly broken, yet the problems in the graduate jobs market don’t appear to be being considered
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10 important steps to pass IELTS writing
To ensure fairness and accuracy while grading IELTS writing tasks, the exam body has assigned at least two seasoned IELTS examiners to review your script.
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Universities all want higher fees and funding – but the government may prefer a more targeted approach
Like most of the UK, universities were surprised by the timing of July’s general election. They had no time to influence the incoming Labour government’s policy commitments.
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Personal Statements – a redraft rather than a reform?
Writing etiquette precludes me from including an ‘eye-roll’ emoji here, but that was definitely my first reaction
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UK university cuts threaten to ‘wipe out’ black scholarship, academics say
Black scholarship in the UK risks being wiped out due to redundancies and course closures, leading academics have warned.
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Oxford University keeps global top spot
The University of Oxford has kept top place in an international league table for a record-breaking ninth year in a row.
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After the ‘war’, now we must win the peace
In the run up to the General Election, then Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology
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UK Universities call for tuition fee rise in line with inflation
In a report, released on behalf of Universities UK on September 30, universities have set out a package of reforms
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Labour to review UK’s international education strategy
The incoming review was revealed in a statement announcing the reappointment of the UK’s international education champion
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Newcastle University faces £35m black hole as international student numbers decline
A decline in the number of international students at Newcastle University will leave a £35 million shortfall in their budget, according to an email sent to staff.
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UCAS: International intake flattens amid record acceptances for UK 18-year-olds
A total of 61,110 international applicants received a place this year, down 0.6% from last year, UCAS data has showed.
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UK increases international student maintenance requirements
As per government policy, international students coming to the UK must provide evidence that they have sufficient savings to support themselves
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Lessons for UK universities from the Australian experience
The writer is president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester and former deputy vice-chancellor of Sydney University.
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The experience of student number caps from one modern university in Scotland
As England discusses whether to reintroduce student number caps for home undergraduate education,
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Tuition fees must go up, unis say as term begins
Higher tuition fees and direct government funding are needed to halt a growing deficit in England, a group of
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Unis float £12,500 fees as freshers pack for term
Tuition fees in England would need to rise to £12,500 to meet universities' teaching costs, the vice-chancellor of King's College London has said
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Reduced international student numbers are a much bigger problem than you think
As new visa data shows a slowdown in international recruitment, the potentially staggering economic costs of sector contraction have become clear.
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Global collaboration is key to driving digital transformation
UK universities are facing tough times ahead, dealing with issues such as a cost-of-living crisis, limits on international student numbers, an increase
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University students to be offered some free modules
University students will be able to take modules in some courses for free
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Applications for the UK Government’s Chevening Scholarships is now open to apply
Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK are open
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Hidden in Plain Sight: The Real International Student Scandal
It is widely acknowledged that UK higher education is on the edge of a financial precipice. But the sector’s problems in fact run much deeper than this. There is also a quality crisis – which, though widely known about, is barely being discussed except amongst direct teaching colleagues.
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UK’s London Metropolitan sees “significant” spike in international applications
While there is “always a bit of a rush as we come to the end of a cycle”, there has been a noticeable surge in applications from overseas students recently
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Record foreign student numbers at Scottish universities
The number of international students studying at Scotland’s universities rose to a record high in the 2022-2023 academic year.
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UK international student numbers hit record levels in 2022/23
The UK hosted a total of 758,855 international students during the last academic year – with India, China and Nigeria sending the most
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Big fall in migrant visa applications after changes
The number of overseas workers, students and their families applying for visas to come to the UK has fallen by a third over
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Labor rejects report that international students will be capped at 40% of university enrolments
The education minister has rejected a report that the government will cap international students
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Ucas to reform university personal statements
Ucas is changing personal statements, long the bane of teenagers' final year at school, for university admissions.
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“Be in no doubt” – int’l students welcome in UK, says education secretary
Keir Starmer’s government will move away from the “mixed messaging” of previous administrations and towards a more welcoming attitude
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A greater focus emerges on tuition deposit payments
An increased focus on conversion of applications from international students coupled with diminishing university finances
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Labour vows to “welcome international students” to UK
Speaking on BBC’s Today program on July 22, Phillipson recognised “the difference international students make when it
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Even a PhD isn’t enough to erase the effects of class
The past few years have been challenging for anyone employing fewer women or under-represented minorities
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The role of Higher Education in driving flourishing regions
Universities are invaluable to the national economy and important anchor institutions in their regions
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Visa changes had 'really big impact' on university
Changes to international student visas have had a "really big impact" on a university which is offering voluntary severance to 500 staff
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'No concerns' about foreign students' entry grades
A review has found “no concerns” that universities are watering down entry requirements for international students applying to foundation courses.
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What does the next government do about education?
Funding, pay and the increasing expectation from schools will challenge the next government's education policy, educators and parents in Kent and Sussex are warning.
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Bridging the IT Skills Gap and Seizing Opportunities
In the last few years, we have witnessed a global influx of technological advancements that have progressed faster than anticipated,
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Bridging the AI Divide: A Call to Integrate Industry Expertise into UK Higher Education
As the UK approaches its next general election, both the Labour and Conservative Party manifestos
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Weekend Reading: Creating sustainable careers for the next generation – what can universities do?
What does sustainability really mean for the planet, for society, for universities and their students
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The Higher Education Business Model is Broken: Bridging the Gap to a New Model
Higher education is the hidden issue in the current UK general election campaign. One of the few references to the sector
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Decarbonising Higher Education – The Investment Challenge
Universities and higher education (HE) institutions have an important role to play in meeting carbon reduction targets
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University research
At the 2019 General Election, the Conservative Party reiterated the commitments already made by the
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New constituency-level data prove the value of international students to the UK
HEPI and Kaplan International Pathways are publishing data commissioned from London Economics showing
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Cyber threat actors are targeting UK universities. Are security teams prepared?
UK universities have been a consistent target of choice by cyber-attackers in recent years.
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Universities' fears over cuts to overseas students
Universities across Yorkshire have warned that planned cuts to the number of international students coming to the UK
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Up to 150 jobs at risk as part of university cuts
Up to 150 jobs at the University of Hull are at risk as part of a £23m cost-savings plan.
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Using AI to think with students, not for them
Last month’s invitation-only meeting focused on assessment, with four HE leaders – from the University of Greenwich
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AI in finance is like ‘moving from typewriters to word processors’
The accounting and finance professions have long adapted to technology — from calculators and spreadsheets to cloud computing
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The future of higher education regulation
In England, the main regulator of higher education institutions became the Office for Students in 2018.
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Four possible futures for English higher education after the election
England’s universities face serious financial challenges because there are pressures on three of their main income streams
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How are universities funded?
UK universities are funded through three main income streams: tuition fees and grants for teaching home students;
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We have a Vision for the Future – the Russell Group Students’ Union Manifesto
Higher Education is at a critical juncture. As demand for university education increases
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Nigeria acts over students told to leave UK
Nigeria's federal government has stepped in after crisis-hit international students
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Crisis-hit students plead for more time over fees
Overseas students struggling with tuition fees amid a currency crisis in Nigeria
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UKCISA responds to Home office proposals on student immigration
Today’s announcement by the Home Office proposes a review of the way universities work with global education agents to recruit international students
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Student visa rules costing city millions - uni boss
Coventry University's vice-chancellor has said the city's economy could lose out on tens of millions of pounds
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University raises student visa fears
New immigration laws could have a "negative impact on the UK as a study destination", a university vice chancellor said.
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Rishi Sunak faces cabinet backlash over plans to curb foreign student visas
Rishi Sunak is facing a cabinet revolt over plans to scrap a graduate visa scheme that allows overseas students to live and work in the UK for up to two years after graduation.
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Rishi Sunak appears to bow to cabinet pressure over graduate visa scheme
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has bowed to pressure from some of his senior cabinet colleagues over proposed changes to the graduate visa scheme.
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Ex-ministers warn UK universities will go bust without higher fees or funding
Vice-chancellors and former ministers are warning that the cash crisis facing universities is so serious that the next government
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Crisis-hit university students ordered to leave UK
Nigerian students have been thrown off university courses and ordered to leave the UK after a currency crisis left them struggling to pay tuition fees on time.
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Student visa curbs are ‘blunt instrument’, warns St Andrews vice-chancellor
Leading UK universities have warned that any move to restrict graduate visas to the “brightest and best” foreign students
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Next government must make hard university funding decisions, fast
Why are universities in such financial dire straits? According to one sector leader, it’s because they are losing mone
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Maintaining quality through the cost-of-living crisis
Published last week, HEPI’s report A Minimum Income Standard for Students highlighted the ‘bleak picture’ painted by the latest research
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Landmark HEPI and TechnologyOne report shows students studying outside London need £18,600 to have an acceptable standard of living
A major new report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (www.hepi.ac.uk) and TechnologyOne
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Higher education to play an urgent role in tackling global challenges
As 13 nations across the Commonwealth head to the ballot box this year, and families, parents, and citizens consider their priorities for the ensuing decade,
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UK graduate visa vital for local economies, city leaders tell MAC
City leaders have attempted to mount a defence of the UK’s at-risk graduate visa, highlighting how it brings £5 billion net benefit to their economies.
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Cap overseas student numbers and scrap graduate visa, says report
The number of international students in the UK should be capped and the graduate visa should be abolished immediately,
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Top Three Education Trends for 2024
Educators must stay up-to-date with the latest technology developments and innovative teaching techniques,
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How AI impacts on academic publishing
The London Book Fair 2024 shed light on numerous critical issues currently impacting the publishing industry
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Why a fresh approach is needed for university drop-out rates
the UK has had the lowest drop-out rate among developed countries, with Ireland in second place;
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How are universities seeking to improve international students’ learning experience?
The Jisc report on international students’ digital experience was a welcome publication encompassing 18 years of research
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Lincoln to Host World-Leading Economics Conference
A host of figures from esteemed institutions, including the World Bank, London School of Economics, United Nations University
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New report examines the gender pay gap in higher education
The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has released a comprehensive report,
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Increasing university spinouts: we need to talk about people
t has been said that the translation of research into profitable and impactful businesses is one of
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Creating a sense of empowerment through engagement data
In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, universities are increasingly embracing engagement dashboards
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University strategy in an age of uncertainty
That the operating environment for UK universities is more uncertain than ever is now an accepted truth.
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How can aspects of wellbeing be addressed in the curriculum?
In a world that has changed due to the Covid pandemic and the cost of living, students are increasingly
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Is data the driving force for better insights in 2024?
A year ago, generative AI like ChatGPT was barely on our radar. Today, the technology has moved into the mainstream.
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Lunchtime Reading: Investing in Quality
The urgent need for long-term funding solutions for higher education across the UK has been the topic of much discussion in recent months
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Statement on the MAC review of the Graduate route March 2024
The Graduate immigration route was created as a post-study work route to attract international students to the UK as part of the UK Government’s International Education
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Universities consider firing staff and cutting courses as foreign student enrolments plummet
Hundreds of university staff are at risk of being fired as educational institutions scramble to cut costs following a substantial drop in the number of foreign students enrolling on courses.
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Lamentations in UK as international students number drop on strict student visa rule
Officials in UK universities worry about the economic fallout from a sharp decline in international student enrollments due to strict immigration policies.
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Delivering civic value to communities – the impact of UK universities’ social science research
UK universities have increasingly had to speak the language of ‘impact’, which has become another addition to the sector’s lexicon of buzzwords.
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International Research: Scotland's world leading offer
Scotland’s world class university research and its key outputs of new knowledge and insights are fundamental
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Riding the wave of technological change to enable transformative learning for all
As I was leaving home to attend a recent HEPI roundtable event, my A-level-year-daughter asked where I was heading
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The financial impact of AI on institutions through breaches of academic integrity
Breaches in student academic integrity include, but are not exclusive to, acts such as cheating, plagiarism
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The Canary Doesn’t Look So Well: early warning signs on international student recruitment
Miners would famously take a canary below ground with them as a form of early warning signal.
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Tough government action on student visas comes into effect
Restrictions to student visa routes came into effect yesterday, as the government continues to slash migration and curb abuse of the immigration system.
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Where next? A new dawn for the OfS (OfS over the horizon, part II)
Yesterday we focused on the story so far for the OfS. It has been troubled, but the course can be corrected.
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Creating Robust Safeguarding Policies to Enhance the Student Experience
Before I worked at HEPI, I worked at the University of Bath, developing organisational policy – so I have a particular interest
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International students put employability at top of the wish list
International students have long been a vital part of UK higher education.
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Quality in HE, an over-the-horizon look at OfS – part I
Public debate is focused on what might happen after the General Election. Change is in the air,
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The unexplored impacts of international students
International students and their dependents are a rare migrant group in that the number of them in the UK
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International Education and Economic Growth: Maximising exports
Our excellent post-16 education sector also plays a vital role in strengthening Scotland’s international reputation and economy.
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A manifesto for the future
On 30 January, the National Union of Students launched our Manifesto for our Future which represents the aspirations of the millions of students
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Whatever happened to all those ‘alternative providers’ of higher education?
While Margaret Thatcher was the Secretary of State for Education and Science in the 1970s,
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Number of international students applying for university courses in UK rises
The number of international students applying for a place on a higher education course in the UK has risen this year, Ucas figures show.
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How can we use data to improve student and staff wellbeing?
Higher education has come a long way in recognising and being aware of mental health issues that students enter their studies with.
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Explaining the rise in student mental health and wellbeing issues
Over the past few years there has been veritable blizzard of articles and reports about the rise in wellbeing and mental health issues,
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Desperately Seeking Educational Gain, the Dark Matter of Learning and Teaching
Since its inception in 2017, the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) has become an integral part of assessing and recognising the quality of undergraduate teaching
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Scotland's International Education Strategy
Scotland welcomes international students, staff, and researchers, recognising the important and valuable contribution they make to the Scottish economy
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Why degree apprenticeships deserve your attention
Degree apprenticeships. They’re Skills Minister Robert Halfon’s “two favourite words in the English language”
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Online learning as a response to global shifts in higher education
UK higher education has had a strong international reputation for many years.
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The increase in student maintenance hides a critical shortfall in financial support for students
Yesterday’s announcement from Robert Halfon, Minister for Higher Education,
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Is technology the ticket to bridging the £17bn gap in university income?
UK universities are set to lose more than £17bn in real income over the next four years as persistent inflation erodes the value of tuition fees, according to newly released research.
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Staff told to take ‘more flexible approach’ in move university says will bring rules into line with those for UK offer-holders
The University of York has told staff to take a “more flexible approach” to admitting overseas students with lower-than-expected grades, in the latest sign that UK higher education is facing severe recruitment and financial pressures.
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Hostility to international students is partly about the rate of expansion
It can feel baffling for those that see international recruitment as a UK success story.
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Home Secretary unveils plan to cut net migration
The UK Government will introduce a plan to deliver the biggest ever cut in net migration and curb abuse of the immigration system.
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