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University governance must be overhauled to address the problem of "dispassionate" independent board members who protect their own interests at times of crisis rather than those of the institutions they serve, according to a new study.

But union welcomes option to rein in universities' institutional autonomy. Hannah Fearn reports

Universities may impose maximum fees to pre-empt expected reductions, writes John Morgan

The Quality Assurance Agency has launched a full investigation into the impact of course closures on students at the London College of Communication.

QAA reforms aim to boost public knowledge and inform applicant choices. Simon Baker reports

American higher education economist advocates full-fee discounts in England. John Morgan reports

New universities in Wales are to bear the brunt of next year's funding cuts as the Welsh funding council protects high-quality research at the expense of teaching.

UCU plans further strike action in May to break deadlock over pensions. John Morgan writes

Vocal support for philosophy and ethics units saved the day, staff claim. John Morgan reports

The vice-chancellor of the University of Reading is to step down.

Any attempt by the government to siphon off a percentage of student places and reallocate them to universities offering the lowest fees would drive down quality and lead to larger class sizes, a vice-chancellor has told a cross-party group of MPs.

By Allie Grasgreen, for

The Arts and Humanities Research Council has strongly denied that it has been pressurised into funding research on the Conservative Party’s “Big Society” agenda.

Two years ago, Leeds Metropolitan University was the only higher education institution in England offering a substantial discount on tuition fees, charging just £2,000 a year.

A branch of the US Republican Party has been accused of attacking academic freedom by using freedom of information laws to access emails sent by a University of Wisconsin-Madison academic who criticised its policies.

Members of higher education unions will take to London’s streets to join a day of protest against government cuts to public services, while students plan to inject some “radical spirit” via a feeder march.

Occupations are under way at two London universities as students rally in support of lecturers mounting a national strike over pensions, pay and jobs.

Aston University has become the first institution from outside the 1994 and Russell groups to announce plans to charge tuition fees of £9,000 in 2012.

Teesside University will lose almost a fifth of its teaching money in 2011-12 compared with its original grant allocation for this year after a £6.6 million clawback by the funding council, figures have shown.

Universities aim to reconnect with the philanthropic tradition in bid to counter cuts, writes Hannah Fearn

Keele's plan to shut philosophy and ethics units is a 'disaster', say scholars. John Morgan reports

This sculpture of a kangaroo, located incongruously near the entrance of the library at Stockholm University, is the work of Torsten Renqvist (1924-2007).

Overhaul aims to give students the flexibility needed in an ever-changing market. Hannah Fearn reports

Move to concentrate doctoral funding comes as post-92 objections rumble on, writes Paul Jump

Matthew Reisz on an ESRC-funded seminar series aiming for closer links between arts and education

Academics must change to get the best from technology, Jisc hears. Hannah Fearn reports

Government seeks to cap loans costs through closure of loophole. Simon Baker reports

The new head of the Student Loans Company is feeling "quietly confident" about the future despite the fiasco that left tens of thousands of undergraduates without funds.

Thousands of students at private colleges are already accessing public student loans, according to data obtained by ����Vlog.

A new tool allows managers to assess and build on research groups’ performance. Paul Jump reports

UCU boycott of pension meetings may leave leaders with hefty bills. John Morgan reports

The University and College Union has warned that it will step up industrial action for "maximum impact" on examinations and assessment if the employers do not return to the negotiating table on pensions.

Clampdown not as harsh as first feared, but still problematic, critics claim. Simon Baker reports

A £100 million cash injection for four research campuses has been announced in today’s Budget.

The ����Vlog Funding Council for Wales could be scrapped and replaced by a new body holding full powers to govern Welsh universities under proposals welcomed by Leighton Andrews, Wales’ education minister.

Controversial measures to restrict student visas have been announced by the government.

Students in Scotland have proposed measures to address a potential funding gap between Scottish and English universities. By James Titcomb

By Scott Jaschik, for

London Metropolitan University is to charge under £6,000 a year for many courses in 2012, bucking the trend set by other institutions that have rushed to charge £9,000 a year.

Charitable income to higher education has dropped as the full effects of the economic downturn on university fundraising become clear.

The University of Surrey has become the latest English higher education institution to propose setting an undergraduate tuition fee of £9,000 a year for 2012-13.

The London School of Economics has appointed an interim director following the resignation of Sir Howard Davies over the school’s links with the Libyan regime.

Keele University is planning to shut down its philosophy department, a move critics describe as an “emblematic loss” that would damage the institution’s credibility.

A Russell Group university is considering the risk that student numbers could fall by up to 15 per cent when the tuition-fee cap rises to £9,000, while another former polytechnic has said it will charge fees above the lower threshold of £6,000 in 2012.

'Challenging settlement' for 2011-12 apportions nearly £1 billion in cuts. Simon Baker reports

New universities in England will be hit with the biggest proportional cuts in their quality-related research budgets during the coming academic year as funding is further concentrated on international excellence.

Ties may fray as institutions trying to be all things suffer financially, study hints. Simon Baker reports

These charts, pictures and illustrations (see images, right) all form part of the Otto and Marie Neurath Isotype Collection at the University of Reading.

The lack of previous experience among members of two subpanels in the forthcoming research excellence framework could undermine researchers' "grudging acceptance" of the exercise, an academic has warned.