German ‘universities of excellence’ party, and self-promote, hard The live unveiling of Germany’s Excellence Strategy institutions is greeted by champagne, confetti and a changing of attitudes By David Matthews 31 July
Science deregulation predicted for UK as no-deal Brexit looms Ex-European Commission official predicts ‘zero chance’ of UK joining Brussels research programmes after no-deal, with ‘going global’ and looser rules the likely alternatives By John Morgan 30 July
Government pressure fails to stem rise in unconditional offers Thirty-eight per cent of 18-year-old applicants received at least one offer with an unconditional component in 2019, Ucas data show By Anna McKie 30 July
Brexit uncertainty compounds Northern Ireland’s HE woes Lack of a functioning executive and threat of a no-deal Brexit have put Northern Irish universities in jeopardy: could a new university help? By Anna McKie 30 July
Offer emergency grants to help refugees, universities urged German universities need to collect better data and rethink selection system to improve integration, analysis finds By David Matthews 29 July
Dropout rates in focus at English for-profits as regulator decision day looms Some alternative providers could lose access to public student loans if OfS judges non-continuation rates too high By Simon Baker 25 July
Member satisfaction with USS pension scheme declines Annual report shows increase in value of fund assets, but dispute over future contributions takes toll on contentment By Nick Mayo 25 July
Russell Group students more likely to back contextual admissions But overall students are split on the policy of making lower grade offers to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds By Ellie Bothwell 25 July
Why OfS decisions on for-profits matter for whole sector The fate of big alternative providers has implications for the future of English for-profit HE, writes John Morgan By John Morgan 25 July
Jo Johnson returns as universities minister in brother’s government Gavin Williamson named education secretary and Andrea Leadsom business secretary in Boris Johnson Cabinet By John Morgan 24 July
UK universities call for Johnson’s support on funding, research and visas UUK and Russell Group issue appeals after former shadow HE minister’s victory in Tory leadership race By Nick Mayo 23 July
Lancaster investigating cyberattack after applicant data stolen Student and applicant data have been stolen in a ‘malicious and sophisticated’ phishing attack on Lancaster University By Nick Mayo 23 July
