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The UK's only independent think tank devoted to higher education.

Month: March 2019

  • Whose voice is heard in higher education?

    29 March 2019 by Professor Tom Sperlinger

    A guest blog kindly contributed by Tom Sperlinger, Professor of Literature and Engaged Pedagogy at the University of Bristol. He is also the co-author of Who are universities for? Recently, I was talking to an academic colleague who I have known for more than 10 years – and who I had always…

  • Why a grade threshold for higher education study is neither necessary or defensible

    28 March 2019 by Greg Walker

    A guest blog kindly contributed by Dr Greg Walker, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities. Iain Mansfield, sets out in his HEPI blog (26 March) a defence of limiting access to a university education according to a minimum threshold of grade attainment (DDD at A Level, or…

  • Seeking simple solutions to complex problems: The careers conundrum

    27 March 2019 by Mike Grey

    This is a guest blog kindly contributed by Mike Grey, Head of University Partnerships at Gradconsult. In recent years the policy spotlight has been shining on careers and employability provision. Graduate destination metrics heavily influence Teaching Excellence Framework outcomes and league table positions. This part of the institutional offer plays a…

  • Comparing a Numbers Cap with an Attainment Threshold

    26 March 2019 by Iain Mansfield

    Imagine you’re the President of Universities UK. You’ve been invited to a private meeting at No. 11, where the Chancellor informs you that he has decided to control the numbers entering UK higher education. No, he cuts you off as you protest, the decision is made, the Cabinet on side,…

  • Response to Anthony Seldon’s call for reform to UUK

    25 March 2019 by Roger Brown

    This is a guest blog kindly contributed by Roger Brown former Vice-Chancellor of Southampton Solent University. He was previously Chief Executive of the Higher Education Quality Council, Chief Executive of the Committee of Directors of Polytechnics, and Secretary of the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council. As the only person, so…

  • Shakira Martin on Widening participation

    22 March 2019 by Shakira Martin

    This is a guest blog based on the speech Shakira Martin gave at HEPI/Advance HE’s House of Commons seminar on Widening Participation.  Widening participation in education and improving social mobility have been central issues of focus throughout my, now almost two year, presidency of the National Union of Students (NUS).…

  • Response to HEPI’s International Students research from Shadow Higher and Further Education Minister, Gordon Marsden MP

    21 March 2019 by Gordon Marsden MP

    Responding to the Higher Education Policy Institute and Kaplan International Pathways research commissioned from London Economics on the financial contributions of international students, Shadow Higher and Further Education Minister Gordon Marsden MP said: “Today’s report underlines everything Labour and the sector have been saying about the vital contribution international students’…

  • The UK’s tax revenues from international students post-graduation

    21 March 2019 by Dr Gavan Conlon, Maike Halterbeck and Sophie Hedges

    The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and Kaplan International Pathways have published research commissioned from London Economics on the financial contributions of international students who stay in the UK to work. The report additionally considers whether these former students are displacing others in the labour market and evaluates the financial…

  • Just one cohort of international students who stay in the UK to work pay £3.2 billion in tax – and they aren’t taking jobs from UK citizens

    21 March 2019

    The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and Kaplan International Pathways (Kaplan) are today publishing new research commissioned from London Economics on the financial contributions of international students who graduate from higher education and stay in the UK to work. The UK’s tax revenues from international students post-graduation shows the tax…

  • Has Derry’s time come? The case for expanding HE in Northern Ireland’s second city

    20 March 2019 by Jonny Roberts

    A guest blog contributed by Jonny Roberts, Associate Editor at Westminster Forum Projects where he previously led the Westminster Higher Education Forum and was involved in the launch of the Policy Forum for Northern Ireland. He writes here in a personal capacity.  When Lord Adonis recently took his one-man anti-Brexit…