The Higher Education Show

Latest Episodes:

Portugal special Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast the SUs team has been on a study tour to universities in Lisbon in Portugal, and have reflections on everything from space to food, from interdisciplinarity to curriculum design and from Praxe to ribbon burning.

With Khadiza Hossein, VP Education at UWE SU, Emillia Zirker, Student Representation Officer at Lincoln SU, Gary Hughes, CEO at Durham SU, Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe and hosted by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

Those who fight don’t always win, but those who don’t fight always lose

Students should be co-authors of their education

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Easter special Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast it’s our Easter special – and we’re diving into the highlights from The Secret Life of Students, our event that looked at a new vision for the student experience.

We hear from student officers, sector experts, and campaigners on everything from the myth of the full-time model, to the pressures of placements, to the problems faced by international students. There’s testimony from nursing students, fire from SU officers challenging tokenistic consultation, and reflections on race, identity, and institutional indifference. Plus we zoom out to explore commuter challenges, disabled students, student cities and the global call for student solidarity.

Hosted by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

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Regret, provider collapse, WP Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast we discuss new research on student regret, as a report from the University of Bristol reveals that while two-thirds of current undergraduates are happy with their choice of degree, it drops to less than half among recent graduates. Are improved advice and guidance really the answer?

Plus we look at the collapse of the Advanced Business Academy (ABA) and its aftermath, as an Office for Students (OfS) investigation uncovers serious concerns about student placements and course delivery. And we examine new research on widening participation “cold spots” and the stark disparities in teachers’ expectations for students based on geography and school ratings.

With Mary Curnock Cook, non-executive in education and edtech, Pete Quinn, inclusion consultant, Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

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Sussex fine, franchising Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast we're discussing the Office for Students fine of £585,000 levied against the University of Sussex for breaches of free speech conditions, as vice chancellor Sasha Roseneil calls the process "Kafka-esque" and plans a legal challenge.

Plus we examine what Bridget Phillipson has called "one of the biggest financial scandals universities have faced" – franchising. Does the affair point signal a shift towards a more “planned” system?

With Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive at Universities UK, Jonathan Simons, Partner and Head of the Education Practice at Public First, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

Sussex fined almost £600k over free speech

\So are universities allowed to chill misogyny or not?

The franchise problem may not have a quick answer

Welcome to the walk-in degree

What is the franchising boom doing to drop-out?

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Scotland, Secret life of Students Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast - recorded live at our Secret Life of Students event in London - we get across the financial crisis facing universities in Scotland. Can the SNP hold its “free education” line forever?

Plus there’s clips, highlights and reflections from our Secret life of Students event in London - where we’ve been discussing student health, students at work, what students learn, student cities, the time crunch that prevents meaningful engagement and what universities can do to “make the space” to innovate in the student interest.

With Jimena Alamo, President at University of Bath Students’ Union, Mark Peace, Professor of Innovation in Education at King's College London, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

Additional £10m funding from the Scottish Government

Breaking out of Borgentown – the case for hope in higher education

You can’t change the design of a plane while it’s in flight

The SU University of Bath - Together we shape tomorrow

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Free speech, graduates, student finance Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast free speech tsar Arif Ahmed is back as the government presses ahead with the free speech act - we get across the implications.

Plus there’s new analysis on how graduates’ importance to the government’s industrial strategy, and we take a closer look at the inequalities baked into student maintenance support.

With Julian Gravatt, Deputy Chief Executive at the Association of Colleges, Janice Kay, Director at Higher Futures, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

Update on Freedom of Speech Act.

New analysis shows that graduates will be key to government’s industrial strategy.

Beware the great unbundling implied in the LLE.

Why do we punish low-income students for entering education?

A proper review of student maintenance is now long overdue.

How much are we paying to (for) students?

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OfS chair, employment, skills Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast Nottingham Trent VC Edward Peck has been confirmed as the government’s candidate for Chair of OfS. But what does his focus on “quality improvement” and engagement with governing bodies mean for the regulator’s approach—and how will his skepticism of government bailouts impact struggling institutions?

Meanwhile, as the Employment Rights Bill sees significant amendments, we unpack what proposed changes to zero-hours contracts and industrial action rules could mean for universities and students. And with the policy spotlight shifting from “knowledge” to “skills,” we’re asking—where do universities fit into the UK's economic vision?

With Brooke Storer-Church, CEO at GuildHE, Neil Mackenzie, CEO at Leeds Beckett Students’ Union, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and hosted by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

Edward Peck’s performance at the Education Committee

How R&D creates new skills and can jump start the economy

Policy change can help manage the demand for graduate knowledge and skills

The case against impartial university teaching

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New leaders, Gen-AI, Visas Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast UK Research and Innovation and the Office for Students both have new leadership – but what does that mean for the future of regulation, research funding, and sector confidence?

Meanwhile, a new report reveals a dramatic rise in student use of generative AI, and as speculation swirls over potential changes to post-study work visas, the sector braces for further uncertainty in international student recruitment.

With Mark Bennett, Director (Audience & Insight) at FindAUniversity, Sarah Cowan, Head of Policy (Higher Education and Research) at the British Academy,, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

Preferred candidate to lead Office for Students confirmed

The UK-Ukraine 100 year partnership and its commitment to educational leadership

Boom and bust – but still whopping

The Home Office has its eyes on post-study work numbers

HEPI/Kortext AI survey shows explosive increase in the use of generative AI tools by students

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Wales cuts, mental health, regulation Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast the Welsh government has announced £18.5m in additional capital funding for universities - but questions remain over reserves, job cuts, competition law and student protection.

Meanwhile, new research reveals student mental health difficulties have tripled in the past seven years, and Universities UK warns that OfS’ new strategy risks expanding regulatory burden rather than focusing on priorities.

With Andy Westwood, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Manchester, Emma Maslin, Senior Policy and Research Officer at AMOSSHE, Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

The government’s in a pickle over fees and funding

As the cuts rain down in Wales, whatever happened to learner protection?

Partnership and promises are not incompatible

Student mental health difficulties are on the rise, and so are inequalities

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REF people and culture, spending review, apprenticeships Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast universities failing to promote diversity will face funding cuts – so said The Times. We chat through the controversy building around the REF. Plus we look at what the sector is asking for in the spending review, and consider the government’s push for lower-level, shorter apprenticeships.

With Shitij Kapur, Vice Chancellor and President at King's College London, Jess Lister, Director (Education) at Public First, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

Universities UK submits to spending review

The barriers that must be removed for degree apprenticeships to meet NHS workforce targets

Higher education institutions have invested time, effort and money in level 7 apprenticeships

Societies that are humane are thoughtful about promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

Predictably bad education

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