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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50:54
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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34:11
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
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41:33
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41:33
Mergers, reshuffle
This week on the podcast we examine the bombshell merger announcement between the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent, set to create the London and South East University Group – one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK.With a memorandum of understanding signed and contracts expected by Christmas, this "super university" is being hailed as a potential blueprint for sector transformation. But what does this new multi-university model really mean for students, staff, and the future of higher education consolidation?Plus we discuss the recent government reshuffle and its implications for the sector, as Angela Rayner's departure triggers ministerial changes across departments with direct links to higher education – from Liz Kendall's appointment as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to questions about skills policy under Pat McFadden's expanded brief at the newly configured Department for Work and Pensions.With Ben Vulliamy, Executive Director at the Association of Heads of University Administration, Emma Maslin, Senior Policy and Research Officer at AMOSSHE, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe. The first multi-university group arrivesBack to the future for the TEF? Back to school for OfS?The former student leaders entering Parliament Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Podcast: Year ahead, International, Governance
This week on the podcast we examine the challenges facing UK higher education as another tough academic year begins with government finances stretched and the sector languishing at the bottom of political priorities.With the post-16 education white paper still pending and rumours swirling about tuition fee increases and international student levies, what does the year ahead hold for universities already struggling with funding pressures?Plus we discuss the latest crackdown on international students as 130,000 are warned about visa overstaying and further restrictions on dependants loom, and ask whether new governance recommendations – from paying board members to live-streaming meetings – can restore confidence in university leadership after high-profile failures.With Anton Muscatelli, Principal at University of Glasgow, Dani Payne, Head of Education and Social Mobility at the Social Market Foundation, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Retry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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