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

Nick Hillman

  • The Case for a Graduate Tax

    29 August 2018

    HEPI has previously highlighted some of the shortcomings of moving to a graduate tax system. Here, Paul Maginnis (@paulmaginnis1), the author of a new book entitled The Return of Meritocracy: Conservative Ideas for Unlocking Social Mobility puts forward the case in favour of a graduate tax. Tuition fees are a visceral…

  • Higher education co-regulation: Where do we go from here?

    28 August 2018 by Professor David Phoenix

    This guest blog has been kindly written for us by Professor David Phoenix OBE, Chair of MillionPlus and Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University. Should we regulate – or co-regulate – higher education? Well, the Office for Students is certainly a regulator, there is little doubt about that. But is…

  • Do demographics determine destiny? They can in learning analytics…

    24 August 2018 by Richard Gascoigne

    This guest blog has been kindly contributed to HEPI by Richard Gascoigne, Managing Director of Solutionpath Limited (@GazzaToGo). As with all our guest blogs, this does not represent a HEPI opinion but is designed to stimulate informed debate and discussion. Demographics in higher education are important. Analysis of demographics can: identify disparity in academic…

  • Filling in the biggest skills gap: Increasing learning at Levels 4 and 5

    23 August 2018 by Dave Phoenix

    Level 4 and 5 qualifications – including Foundation Degrees, Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (NHDs) – are an excellent route for those not interested (or not yet ready) to embark on a full degree, for mature learners who want to take only a limited amount of time…

  • Some headlines on university entry from A-Level results day by Mary Curnock Cook

    16 August 2018 by Mary Curnock Cook

    This guest blog has been kindly provided to HEPI by Mary Curnock Cook, Senior Adviser to Cairneagle, a member of the HEPI Advisory Board and the former Chief Executive of UCAS. The UCAS data published this morning gives a useful guide to trends in undergraduate entry to higher education –…

  • How to land a jumbo jet on a postage stamp

    10 August 2018 by Nick Hillman

    I have been asked a lot, particularly by journalists, about the vagaries of the university application system – and clearing in particular – this past week. It is a peculiar, difficult and stressful process that can last for months between submitting your UCAS form and having your place confirmed. As…