After the Department for Education set out further details of how GCSE and A Level exam grades will be awarded this year, the heads of University Alliance, the Russell Group, GuildHE, and MillionPlus today put out a joint statement confirming that universities will do all they can to support students and ensure they can progress to university. The joint statement is below: We know many students are anxious about what the cancellation of exams and…
…the opportunity to join the fight against the global pandemic of the Covid-19 virus. As the Government seeks to increase the capacity of the NHS workforce to deal with the crisis, University Alliance members have expressed their backing for these exceptional measures and stand ready to support their students and the nation. Professor Debra Humphris, Chair of University Alliance and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton said: “Alliance uni…
Writing for Wonkhe’s series on wicked problems facing the HE sector, UA CEO, Vanessa Wilson, examined the issues around defining value when it comes to higher education. Vanessa said “narrow definitions of value based on salary potential could risk discounting the immense social and cultural value that the many teachers, artists, nurses, and others bring. I would argue that this is wrong.” “As a sector, we must come together to make our case comp…
This year’s University Alliance Christmas Card Competition has been won by Hanna Jujka, a first year Illustration student from the University of Brighton. The competition tasked students and staff across Alliance Universities with designing a card which would reflect the work of the alliance their members as well as the Christmas Spirit. Hanna’s winning card shows Father Christmas giving graduation caps to children. She says she was motivated to…
…e highest overall debts. The group has called for: The reinstatement of non-repayable maintenance grant funding for students studying higher education courses in England The extension of this funding to cover all level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications, both technical and non-technical The funding package to increase annually with inflation and take into account the rises in cost of living since the grant was scrapped. Professor Debra Humphris, Chair of U…
…a card, which will be seen by senior politicians, university staff and high-level political influencers, as well as being shared on our website. How to Enter Design an A5 card reflecting the work of University Alliance with a festive twist. See the design brief for full specifications. Submit your design along with a few explanatory lines of text to matilda@unialliance.ac.uk. Please include your name, course/ occupation and your university. Comp…
…£400m announced, a considerable proportion has already been allocated for T-levels, so this funding doesn’t actually meet the vast real-term funding reductions the sectors have faced. “As the Chancellor has himself experienced, further education has long been “the forgotten sector” but it is an important stepping stone to university. Therefore it’s essential that we work together to make the case for long-term sustained investment across early yea…
…cceptable part of the application cycle.” However, as has been exposed by UUK and UCAS’s widespread review into University admissions, clearing is by no means a perfect or universally admired process. Penny recognises this. She said “Across the sector, and in government, there is scrutiny around admissions: there are arguments for and against a post-results admissions system. Whatever the process, universities recognise how quickly the clearing pr…
…year in 2020/21 amounts to a significant cut in university budgets in real-terms.” “This hurts students and staff as universities are forced to make savings as costs outpace income.” “Not only does this impact teaching, vital services and staffing now, but it also makes forward-investment more difficult, storing up problems for future generations of students.” “As Prime Minister Johnson takes office, we urge him to ensure that rather than cutting…
…ordshire has been such an advocate and pioneer in this area that their Vice-Chancellor Professor Quintin McKellar was asked to Chair the Review’s sounding board. Professor Quintin McKellar said: “Degree apprenticeships provide an opportunity for employers to work closely with universities to develop high-quality programmes that meet key skills needs, fill occupations that are experiencing shortages and deliver them in an innovative and flexible wa…