The Higher Education Show

Latest Episodes:

Labour’s agenda, OfS, regional APPs Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast live from the Festival of Higher Education in London, England is grappling with Labour’s longer-term aspirations for higher education - we try to figure out what it wants. OfS wants to silence the “boomers”, regional access and participation planning is coming and we dive into the history of our venue for the festival, Senate House.

With Vicki Stott, Chief Executive Officer at the Quality Assurance Agency, Alistair Jarvis, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Partnerships and Governance) at the University of London, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

Alex Usher’s One Thought to Start Your Day

How to better understand students’ sense of belonging

Universities may be a priority for reform but they are not a priority for investment

Some providers are cutting financial support for students – with OfS’ blessing

Access and participation planning gains a regional dimension

Bridget Phillipson has set out the government’s priorities for HE reform

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Fees increase, efficiency, Trump Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast the Westminster government has announced a fee increase - but will it be enough, and can universities even impose it?

Plus the government is on a “renewed drive for efficiency” in universities, and we consider the implications of the results of the US Election.

With Brooke Storer-Church, Chief Executive Officer at GuildHE, Johnny Rich, Chief Executive at the Engineering Professors’ Council and Push, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

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Budget, student finance, consumer rights Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast we pore over Rachel Reeves’ first budget and consider the implications for universities. We also think about students’ finances as bus fares and the minimum wage both rise. Plus OfS has been rattling its sabre on consumer rights—but is the sector taking any notice?

With Andy Westwood, Professor of Public Policy, Government and Business at the University of Manchester, Mary Curnock Cook, serial sector non-exec and former UCAS CEO, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

Everything in the Budget for higher education

Student bus travel should be free

More consumer rights cases emerge from OfS and NTS

The minimum wage is going up. Will maintenance loans rise to match it?

The value of history

DfE to stop grading English schools based on proportion of Russell Group students

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Student numbers, budget, international, VC pay Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast student numbers are set to decline in England after 2030 - we discuss the implications. Plus rumours are swirling over next week’s budget, the TaxPayers’ Alliance has turned its attention to VC pay, and there’s a new report on international student perceptions of different destinations.

With David Duncan, Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary at University of Glasgow, Selena Bolingbroke, Principal at the Building Crafts College, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

The demographic tide is turning, but university remains popular

The UK will need to do more to reassure international applicants if it wants to remain a first choice destination

TPA: University Rich List 2024

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Graduate jobs, sexual misconduct, NSS analysis Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast we look at the latest graduate recruitment trends as the Institute of Student Employers reveals a 60 per cent surge in applications per vacancy.

Plus OfS is to survey the prevalence of sexual misconduct, and there’s new NSS data on satisfaction by student characteristic.

With Julie Sanders, Vice Chancellor and Principal at Royal Holloway, University of London, Joe Cooper, Director of People and Culture at University of East London, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

What does the graduate jobs market look like right now?

A league table on sexual misconduct could be coming

NSS 2024 – results by student characteristics

Royal Holloway's Campus Unity Week

The Finnish Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (KOTT)

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Mental health, renters’ reform, international strategy Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast it’s possible to predict a student’s wellbeing using mental health analytics - but what are the ethics and implications?

Plus Labour’s new legislation for improving the rental market has been discussed in Parliament, Hidden History looks at a push for higher technical skills, and there’s going to be a new International Education Strategy - we discuss what should be in it.

With Ben Jordan, Director of Strategy at UCAS, Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

Data can help predict where students are struggling with wellbeing

Won’t somebody think of the landlords?

Ten things that could feature in a new International Education Strategy

Universities can build trust through creative public engagement

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Blueprint, fees increase, Brussels Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast Universities UK’s much anticipated “blueprint for change” is out – is a new 70 per cent participation target the right one?

Plus The Times reports that fees might be going up, Hidden History recalls university leaders trying to get the attention of government, and Keir Starmer has been in Brussels – will he give way on fees and youth mobility?

With Rose Stephenson, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute, Andy Youell, HE data and systems specialist, Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

A bluffer’s guide to the Universities UK blueprint for HE policy under Labour

A blueprint for change needs students at its centre

Universities UK has a plan to fix research funding

Fees of £10,500 would be a return to the policies of 2017

The poverty gap between students and the universities they attend is getting wider

Students have unrealistic expectations of the financial support universities can offer them

Starmer vows to turn page on UK’s relationship with the EU

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Labour, skills, Medr Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast Team Wonkhe has been at Labour Conference in Liverpool - we discuss what was and wasn’t said about higher education.

Plus there’s news on skills (and in particular Level 7 apprenticeships), Hidden History looks at how HE came to be publicly funded, and Wales’ new tertiary regulator has a plan.

With Pam Macpherson Barrett, Head of Policy and Regulation at the University of Leeds, Aaron Porter, Chair at BPP University and Deputy Chair at Goldsmiths, University of London, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s, University of London, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor in Chief at Wonkhe.

Students should expect less of universities and more of everyone else

More sharp suits than a Burton’s window

The Jacqui Smith doctrine

Who should pay for relief for students and universities?

A strategic plan for Medr

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Fees and funding, ABA closure, workload Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast bits of the UUK blueprint on funding the sector have emerged - we evaluate what’s emerged so far. Plus we ask whether closure of courses at ABA is a coalmine canary, a debate is hotting up over workload and Hidden History dives into the duopoly.

With Ben Ward, Chief Executive at University of Manchester Students’ Union, Meg Price, Senior Policy Manager at Public First, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

Universities will be told to “double down” on sharing things

Why do we all work such long hours?

Staff are working dangerously long hours, and their employers should be concerned

Preventing staff burnout makes financial as well as compassionate sense

Applied Business Academy to close all higher education courses

The NHS productivity puzzle: Why has hospital activity not increased in line with funding and staffing?

Tomorrow’s teachers: A roadmap to get Gen Z into the classroom

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Free speech, international applications, social mobility Sep 12, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast over the summer the government paused implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act - but should it have, and what will happen next? Plus international visa application data for August is out, Hidden History looks at the competition to be old, and a younger generation is doing less well than their parents.

With Chris Husbands, Director at Higher Futures, Steph Harris, Director of Strategy, Insight and Member Engagement at Universities UK, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University, and presented by Mar Leach, Editor in Chief at Wonkhe.

Nobel laureates join campaign to save university free speech act

August student visa applications are down 17 per cent on last year

The future of higher and degree apprenticeships under Labour

Would the free speech act have ushered in antisemitism?

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