Headline responses Review questions In light of short term pressures and longer term trends, how do your proposals for reform ensure the sustainability of the higher education system as a whole? In our other submissions to the second call for evidence, we have outlined some of the key features that should be maintained in order […]
University Alliance proposes the reform of ‘top up fees’ in England to introduce a Graduate Contribution Scheme. These proposals build on the best features of the existing student finance system whilst addressing the need for immediate reform in some areas. The Alliance report ‘Impact of Fees: a review of the evidence’, outlines the case for these proposals […]
In response to Adrian Smith’s Postgraduate Review Libby Aston, Director of University Alliance, said: “Postgraduate provision is vital to the health of the UK economy, society and its research base. Often the largest provider in the region, Alliance universities deliver nearly 20% of all postgraduate education in the UK – around 95,000 students (Based on 2007/08 HESA data) […]
In response to the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) report ‘Funding selectivity, concentration and excellence – how good is the UK’s research?’ Libby Aston, Director of University Alliance said: “We strongly welcome further evidence that the distribution of highly cited research is spread across the sector and the conclusion that an explicit policy of concentration cannot be […]
In response to Budget announcement of 20,000 additional university places Libby Aston, Director of University Alliance, said: “We welcome Lord Mandelson’s recognition in today’s Budget announcements that ‘universities are vital for economic growth.’ The 20,000 additional university places will go some way to meeting demand for higher education – both from the applicants and from business. As a new […]
In response to HEFCE announcement of university funding for 2010-11 Libby Aston, Director of University Alliance, said: “HEFCE have made sensible proposals in response to Government spending cuts. Decisions made by the Funding Council have sought to limit the damage of cuts on high quality teaching and research in our universities. We welcome the commitment to continue to fund […]
Increase in applications and shortfall in university places The UCAS application figures for entry to Higher Education in 2010 show a 22.9% increase in applications from 2009 (UCAS data release 8 February 2010). Steve Smith, President of Universities UK has commented: “Last year about 160,000 students who applied didn’t end up going to university. This […]
The 1994 Group of smaller research-intensive universities presented “skewed” data and “poor research” when making the case for greater concentration of PhD student funding, according to an adviser to the Government’s postgraduate review. Wendy Purcell, vice-chancellor of the University of Plymouth and an external adviser to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ review of […]
In the university world, differences of opinion are nothing new. But the outcome of this one might just change the character of higher education itself. Universities are at odds over the future of postgraduate study, with a Government review on the subject, due to report in the spring, setting up sharply diverging views on how […]
More than half of students would be willing to pay university fees of £5,000 and one in five would be prepared to go as high as £10,000, a survey of tens of thousands of students suggests. Opinionpanel Research asked 37,000 university students what price would be so low that it would make them doubt the […]