… A-levels are not sufficient to identify the aptitude and potential of all those who should benefit from a university education, the government says. A framework for higher education in England over the next decade says social mobility must be reinvigorated. Innovation and Skills Secretary Lord Mandelson said priority would go to new routes into higher education, especially for older students. Read the full article. …
The Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria University, Professor Andrew Wathey, is Deputy Chairman of the University Alliance, and speaks on Research for member universities at the heart of the sector who are both research-engaged and business focussed. Responding to the outspoken remarks of Russell Group Chair Professor Michael Arthur, published in Times Higher Education (October 22nd 2009) he said: “Inciting unfounded panic in advance of the Higher Edu…
Following the Conservative Party’s announcement to fund 10,000 additional university places next year by encouraging early repayments of fees Libby Aston, Director of University Alliance, said: “This is an encouraging and innovative proposal from David Willetts that reflects an understanding of the essential role of universities in the UK’s economic recovery. “Professor John Craven, Vice Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth and former Chair…
Following the Conservative Party’s announcement to fund 10,000 additional university places next year by encouraging early repayments of fees Libby Aston, Director of University Alliance, said: “This is an encouraging and innovative proposal from David Willetts that reflects an understanding of the essential role of universities in the UK’s economic recovery. “Professor John Craven, Vice Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth and former Chair…
Universities are very fortunate to work with Hefce and the research councils. Given that the policy of both funding bodies is to be supportive of excellence and efficiency, but not to interfere in priorities, abolishing either of them would be a direct attack on the autonomy of universities. It would be sensible to scrap the TDA and merge it with Hefce to bring teaching into line with the funding support of many other forms of professional traini…
Following the release of 2009 National Student Survey results Libby Aston, Director of University Alliance, said: “Student satisfaction ratings at Alliance universities remain very high with 81% of students agreeing or strongly agreeing that overall, they were satisfied with the quality of their course. Seven Alliance universities increased their overall satisfaction rating in comparison to last year and many improvements were made across specifi…
Universities and colleges have until tomorrow to decide whether to accept the emergency extra student places they have been allocated. Earlier this month, the government announced 10,000 extra student numbers after warnings that universities would be unable to cater for the record 10% increase in applications during the recession. The government will provide only grants and loans for the extra students, and not funding to universities to teach th…
Responding to today’s announcement of 10,000 additional student places Professor Professor Janet Beer, Chair-elect of the University Alliance and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University said: “With increasing demand for higher education from qualified applicants, University Alliance welcomes today’s announcement to deliver student support funding for 10,000 students but urges the Government to provide the necessary institutional funding. If …
A leading higher education policy expert has been appointed to shape policy on behalf of 23 universities at the core of the UK higher education sector. Libby Aston, former Director of Research at the Russell Group, has joined the University Alliance as its first Director just as the Chair of the Alliance moves from Professor John Craven at Portsmouth to Professor Janet Beer at Oxford Brookes. This appointment will build on the existing work of th…
The new secretary of state responsible for universities, Lord Mandelson, has his hands full with the cost of providing student support, the dearth of university places this summer, and planning for the review of tuition fees and the higher education framework. And another row is brewing – between university groups over research policy and funding. Vice-chancellors across the sector are vying for Mandelson’s ear, particularly given the squeeze on …