This week on the podcast we look at Wales’ emerging higher education settlement, as Universities Wales publishes its manifesto for the May 2026 Senedd elections amid polling that points to a potential Plaid-led administration. Plus we discuss new Office for Students’ data on subcontracted (franchised) provision showing weaker continuation, completion and progression outcomes relative to sector averages, and assess the Institute of Student Employers’ latest survey, with graduate hiring down overall but highly variable by sector amid persistently high applications per vacancy.With Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, Sarah Cowan, Head of Policy (Higher Education and Research) at the British Academy, Sarah Stevens, Director of Strategy at the Russell Group and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Universities Wales election manifestoOutcomes data for subcontracted provisionGraduate jobs and recruitment reality
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Student protest, TNE, Tory conference
This week on the podcast as pro-Palestinian student protests mark the anniversary of October 7, an intervention from Keir Starmer sparks a national debate on campus safety, antisemitism, and free speech. Plus the Prime Minister is leading a trade delegation to India alongside sector leaders, we explore the growing opportunities in transnational education and ask whether UK universities are ready for a TNE surge – and at Conservative Party Conference, Kemi Badenoch announces plans to slash student numbers and redirect funding.With Jess Lister, Director (Education) at Public First, Liz Hutchinson, Chief Executive at London Higher, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and hosted by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.OfS rebalances the free speech/harassment see-saw on antisemitismConservatives have a poor quality higher education policyA TNE policy primer for anyone seeking new funding streams
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Labour Conference 2025
This week on the podcast, as the dust settles on Labour conference in Liverpool, we unpack what Keir Starmer’s new higher education participation target really means – and whether universities have the capacity and funding to meet the moment. We also get into the surprise return of targeted maintenance grants – funded controversially by the levy on international student fees, and we reflect on the wider political atmosphere at the conference – from policy signals to sector perceptions, and what all this might tell us about Labour’s emerging offer and forthcoming White Paper. With Gary Hughes, Chief Executive at Durham Students’ Union, Eve Alcock, Director of Public Affairs at QAA, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and hosted by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.The PM’s announcement on higher level participation is a win for the HE sectorThe fifty per cent participation target is no more. Again.Grants return, the levy staysMaybe the levy just moves money to where it’s needed mostThe Augar review is back, baby. Just don’t about talk yourselfStudents are being othered again – and everyone loses outHave universities got the capacity and cash to respond to the government’s agenda?How much should the new maintenance grant be?Universities should be central to rebuilding communitiesStudents are working harder than ever – because they have toI have a lot of questions about the LLEWho’s ready for a debate at 930am on a Sunday?The education policy trap: will the Augar review avoid the mistakes of the past?
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Sexual misconduct, international levy, closures
This week on the podcast we examine the results of the Office for Students’ first sector-wide survey on sexual misconduct. With over 50,000 responses from final-year undergraduates, the data provides a stark picture of prevalence, reporting, and staff-student relationships in higher education. But with only sector-level results released, questions remain about transparency, accountability, and the regulator’s approach to such a sensitive issue.Plus we discuss the politics and potential consequences of a proposed levy on international student fees – a policy idea that could reshape funding, recruitment, and the UK’s global competitiveness. And we take stock of warnings from the Institute of Physics about possible closures of departments and courses, asking what this says about funding for high-cost subjects and the sector’s capacity to manage contraction and change.With Charlotte Corrish, Head of Public Policy at the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, Mark Bennett, Vice President Research and Insight at Keystone Education Group, and David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.The “regulatory burden” on sexual misconduct needs to lift the weight from studentsWhat OfS’ data on harassment and sexual misconduct doesn’t tell usIOP: Quarter of UK university physics departments risk closure as funding crisis bitesPublic First: Counting the cost – Modelling the economic impact of a potential levy on international student fees
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Quality reforms, duty of candour, skills
This week on the podcast we examine the Office for Students' proposed overhaul of England's quality system, as radical reforms seek to integrate the Teaching Excellence Framework with minimum standards and give TEF some serious teeth.Plus we discuss the government's long-awaited "Hillsborough law" as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill imposes new duties of candour on universities, and examine the machinery of government changes that have seen apprenticeships policy and Skills England transferred from the Department for Education to Pat McFadden's expanded Department for Work and Pensions.With Andrea Turley, Partner at KPMG, Shane Chowen, Editor at FE Week, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.TEF6: the incredible machine takes over quality assurance regulationReputation versus sunlight – universities and the new duty of candourWhat Ofsted inspections reveal about university leadership and cultureA machinery of government muddle over skillsThe former student leaders entering Parliament
Every week the Wonkhe team and guests from across higher education dissect the week's big policy developments, and we also feature views from around the sector.
UK