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Manchester Metropolitan University has said that it will "take all means to defend itself" over allegations of low standards on an exam after appearing to agree with a student that the test was "very similar" to a practice paper taken a week before.

Academic and musician stresses the need for improvisation and fun. Matthew Reisz reports

These are among the 800 objects and about 1,200 patterns which, along with tools, photographs and postcards, make up the Knitting Collections and Knitting Reference Library at the University of Southampton.

Devastating earthquake has not dimmed university spirit, says rector. Diana Garrisi reports

Sweeping reforms of French higher education were prompted in part by its performance in world university rankings, the country's higher education minister has suggested.

For-profit 'impairment' causes concern, but firm's chief hails 'shrewd move'. Simon Baker writes

A campaign for a nationwide vote of “no confidence” in the government’s higher education reforms has been launched by a group of academics and students at the University of Oxford.

The former vice-chancellor of the University of London, Sir Graeme Davies, has taken over as director for fair access after Sir Martin Harris was forced to step down to undergo treatment for cancer.

By Scott Jaschik, for

Research Councils UK and the ����Vlog Funding Council for England have agreed to work together to advance the transition to open-access publishing of research.

Higher education employers have offered staff a £100 pay rise for the 2011-12 academic year.

Study advises that governors regularly assess sustainability in the round. Simon Baker writes

Former journalist on politics subpanel will look for impact, not 'unreadable' articles, he tells Paul Jump

The Political Studies Association has written to the universities and science minister to protest against the government's role in ending small grants programmes.

Scholar says data analysis flags up risks of moving toward US-style sector, writes John Morgan

Institution redirects £3K lobby group subscription to support 'core activities'. Paul Jump reports

Scholar 'disrupts hierarchy' and combines theory and practice live on air. Matthew Reisz listens in

Head also reaffirms commitment to institution's 'broad-based' heritage. John Morgan reports

Loss of Housman Room would deal grievous blow to interdisciplinary work. Hannah Fearn reports

University College London plans to outsource all its cleaning and security services, but a union claims the "potentially illegal" move would harm the institution's lowest-paid staff and the quality of provision.

NUS says students would 'baulk' at automated attendance monitoring. John Morgan reports

This Tippa model typewriter, silver fountain pen inscribed with the letter J, carved wooden box with record-player needles, brass knuckleduster and pipes made by Allen & Wright were all found in the desk of the English novelist John Fowles (1926-2005), most famous for his 1969 novel The French Lieutenant's Woman.

But rule designed to reflect diversity has failed in its primary task, Jon Marcus reports

Danish university implements reforms in bid to join European top table. Hannah Fearn reports

Potential release of SLC information may prove a godsend to the coalition. Simon Baker reports

The general secretary of the University and College Union has pledged to continue to press private colleges on issues such as quality of provision and working conditions after claiming that the union had received "legal threats" for speaking out.

London Met may miss out on millions as students are turned away. John Morgan reports

Some universities will see their third-stream funding rise by 50 per cent but others will miss out altogether after a decision to press ahead with a formula that concentrates an annual pot of £150 million on the most "effective performers".

The chairman of the board of governors at London Metropolitan University has responded to a complaint from a students’ union officer by advising the vice-chancellor to “kill her with information and kindness” – and accidentally copied the email to the union officer concerned.

The Commons Science and Technology Committee has questioned the decision to locate the new UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation in central London.

The provision by universities of “strategically important and vulnerable” subjects such as mathematics, science and modern languages would have suffered if the funding council had not intervened with extra support, a report has concluded.

Two universities have failed to comply with decisions made by the student complaints watchdog, in the first such instances, a cross-party group of MPs has heard.

By Steve Kolowich, for

Fears about the future of postgraduate study in the UK have been raised by a survey which suggests that many current students would not embark on postgraduate study if they had to pay undergraduate tuition fees of £9,000 a year.

The University of Liverpool has announced plans to invest £600 million in its facilities, with £250 million of that sum going towards new student accommodation.

European Union funding for research and innovation should be more focused on green growth, according to a Department for Business, Innovation and Skills report.

The University of Birmingham sent senior administrators to two US institutions for a “transatlantic summit” as part of its preparations for the UK’s more market-oriented funding regime.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville, the businessman and former science minister, has been nominated by the University of Cambridge to succeed the Duke of Edinburgh as chancellor after the royal stands down at the end of June.

A number of universities fear that up to a third of overseas postgraduate students may fail to take up their places this autumn due to changes to visa rules, it has been claimed.

UCU to ballot over 'seriously disruptive action' as employers get their way. John Morgan reports

Journals are rightly seen as the "marketing arm of the pharmaceutical industry", according to the editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal.

MPs find council out of touch with researchers, with science suffering as a result, writes Paul Jump

Post-election focus will be on management and funding gap with England. Hannah Fearn reports

A vice-chancellor is considering legal action against the UK Border Agency over the damage she said her university has suffered because of its "disproportionate" action.

Stuck in the 'valley of death'? There's always a place at Silicon Valley. Matthew Reisz reports

The role of academics as expert witnesses has come under scrutiny after an Australian politician called for a professor to be sacked over his role in a high-profile murder trial.

Diana Garrisi looks at issues troubling lecturers in the Share project's latest batch of daily diaries

Council backs School of Pharmacy's union with UCL despite 'vociferous' opposition, writes Simon Baker