By David Matthews. A further education college offering degrees from three universities has had its licence to sponsor international students suspended.
Barking and Dagenham College is thought to have been removed from the Home Office’s list of registered student sponsors at the end of August.
Although no university has had its licence suspended since London Metropolitan University in July last year, the move is a sign that the Home Office is still willing to cut off what can be a crucial financial lifeline for UK education institutions. More...
Visa licence suspended at FE college
Best universities for nightlife 'are in the North'
By David Matthews. Universities in the North have the most varied nightlife while London institutions are rated highly for their political scene, a new survey suggests.
The consumer group Which? used views from more than 16,000 undergraduates to find the best and worst rated universities for sports, creative activities, student unions, politics and nightlife.
Four universities scored highly in four out of the five categories: University College London and the universities of Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds. Universities in large northern cities – including the universities of Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds – scored highly for the diversity of their nightlife. More...
Cultural benefits of overseas students championed
By David Matthews. A new government-commissioned study has championed the cultural and diplomatic benefits to the UK of educating overseas students.
The Wider Benefits of International Higher Education, released today, surveyed 100 students earlier this year who had returned to their home countries after graduating from a UK university.
They left with “very positive” memories of their time in Britain, the report says, and argues this had created an “emotional bond” between them and the UK, “extending the UK’s power of soft diplomacy”. More...
University fees make a ‘real difference’, says report
By John Morgan. A new report aims to show how universities are spending the income from higher tuition fees, conceding it has meant extra cash for some institutions. The Universities UK report, Where student fees go, is published to coincide with UUK’s annual conference, being held at the University of Leicester on 10-12 September.
In the context of austerity, universities are perceived by many in government as benefited from an excellent deal with £9,000 fees – and are under pressure to show they are using the money for sound purposes.
Nicola Dandridge, UUK chief executive, said: “Since the introduction of tuition fees, people have quite rightly been asking questions about how universities are spending the income. More...