The HEPI Blog aims to make brief, incisive contributions to the higher education policy landscape. It is circulated to our subscribers and published online. We welcome guest submissions, which should follow our Instructions for Blog Authors. Submissions should be sent to our Blog Editor, Rose Stephenson, at [email protected].
Anyone who has ever taken English language tests to advance in their studies or work knows how important it is to have confidence in their accuracy, fairness and transparency. Trust is fundamental to English proficiency tests. But at a time of digital disruption, with remote testing on the rise and…
UK universities shine at the top of global rankings, but face growing international competition and mounting financial pressures.
The US edges ahead with student loan reforms that make universities share financial risk, while the UK clings to outdated proxies.
University leadership must evolve beyond tradition, embracing diversity, collective models, and cross-sector insight to meet modern demands.
Higher education’s true value lies not in skills or facts, but in transformative access to structured bodies of knowledge.
Universities must embrace change and collaboration to navigate political scepticism and ensure a sustainable, inclusive future.
Having a university nearby doesn’t guarantee social mobility – a new framework shows how local impact can be meaningfully measured.
In its competitive market, the UK’s universities face growing pressure to be enterprising and produce graduates with real-world skills and innovative thinking. Employers frequently voice concerns about graduates lacking practical skills required in today’s workplace. At the same time, a new generation of students is more entrepreneurial and digitally agile…
In recent years, universities around the world have been moving away from traditional exams in an effort to improve assessment practices, address equity concerns and adapt to the evolving educational landscape. Top institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge are also shifting towards more inclusive forms of assessment to reduce awarding…
Traditional research metrics no longer fit a sector where educational leadership and teaching excellence increasingly drive academic impact.