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A sideways look at the week’s big stories

Global push complicated by mainland links

New assessment scheme will not be used to direct cash to institutions

British Academy issues warning over future of language study in UK

‘Summer reading lists’ no basis for policy, says don

US president Barack Obama has said that taxpayers “cannot continue to subsidise higher and higher and higher costs of higher education” in his annual State of the Union Address, and published proposals that would require colleges to meet performance thresholds to qualify for federal funding.

Aberystwyth University is to re-launch a “pioneering” master’s degree that was withdrawn after it failed to attract any students.

A student occupation at the University of Sussex is gathering momentum with more than 100 people signing a statement supporting its aims.

Germany’s science and education minister has resigned after a university revoked her doctorate, having ruled she had plagiarised parts of her thesis.

By Elizabeth Redden, for

The next European Union research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, has been allocated a budget of almost €71 billion (£60.4 billion) in an agreement reached on 8 February.

Part-time students enjoy a high level of job stability, with four out of five working throughout their studies and still in employment two years after graduation, a new report says.

Students should receive careers advice and support at the start of their studies, rather than towards the end of their time at university, the chief executive of the National Union of Students has argued.

Five massive open online courses, or Moocs, have been recommended for credit by the American Council on Education, meaning students who complete the courses could potentially use their experience as currency towards a college degree.

One of the most strident critics of the government’s plan to introduce baccalaureate-style examinations to replace GCSEs has welcomed the decision by Michael Gove to abandon the plan.

A campaign group calling itself Sussex Against Privatisation has occupied a floor of the Bramber House conference centre at the University of Sussex.

England’s funding council has unveiled the sector’s total funding for 2013-14, stating that funding per student is on the rise under the new system of higher fees.

‘Exiled’ institution’s temporary Lithuanian home offers opportunity for critical thinking. Matthew Reisz reports

Group of leading universities has ‘serious concerns’ about new ranking project

Institution says students will be safe as it considers moving or closing specialist department

Indie musician and the OFT’s former chief economist, takes chair at ‘creative’ UEA

But critics say plans to relax peer reviews in some universities will introduce risk-based quality assurance by another route

Policy continues to worry academics despite research councils’ concession

Costs of failure increase for first years

University’s creative and scholarly talent features in 2013 celebrations in first city to win designation

Leeds scholar’s calls for Cambodian reform backed by US president

‘Web star’ predicts bonfire of the inanities in US sector

US academy considers impact of cuts and competition

‘Neurotic’ sector plays ‘zero-sum game’ despite cap on numbers

A sideways look at the week’s big stories

Staff costs may be slashed to plug budget hole

Swiss poo paper comes up smelling of roses

‘Freeing’ universities, tuition fees and possible graduate tax figure large as Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats craft policies

John Morgan reports on FTSE 100 firm’s HE strategy

Salary boost from master’s degree rises while profile of students narrows, says Sutton Trust report

Daniel Ploeger’s performance provokes minds through ‘body beautiful’

University students owe an average of £1,409 of debt outside their state loans for tuition fees and living costs, a new study has found.

Around 70 protesters gathered outside the University of London’s Senate House today to campaign for better rights for outsourced university staff.

Leaders of the Russell Group of research intensive universities have added their voices to the clamour calling for the European Union’s research and innovation funding to be protected.

The University of Huddersfield has unveiled pioneering plans to raise funds for scholarships by lending money to small businesses. 

By Scott Jaschik, for 

Academics from the University of Leicester have confirmed a skeleton found beneath a car park in the city is that of the English king, Richard III.

More than 300,000 people have signed up to the University of Edinburgh’s free massive open online courses (Moocs) since they were first announced in July 2012, it has been revealed.

A Tory MP renowned for pro-homeopathy views has been has been provisionally appointed as a member of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee.

The chairs of five parliamentary committees have written to the prime minister urging him to remove overseas university students from the net migrant target, highlighting “unprecedented” consensus between MPs and peers on the move.

One of the UK’s most vocal vice-chancellors has stepped down suddenly because of ill health, it was announced last week. Patrick McGhee, vice- chancellor of the University of East London and chair of the Million+…

Uclan’s Cyprus outpost of ‘particular concern’ to UN secretary general. John Morgan reports

The University of London’s v-c reveals his opinions on issues confronting the sector to David Matthews

Diverse candidates contest top spot in union leadership elections. Jack Grove reports

Male scholars more likely to succumb to temptation as pressure to publish increases. Paul Jump writes

Commissioner warns of heavy R&D cost should UK quit the European Union. Elizabeth Gibney reports

Affirmative action judgment could have repercussions across US. Chris Parr reports