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, Josh Freeman, at [email protected].
October marks the sixtieth anniversary of the publication of the Report of the Committee on Higher Education (1963), the famous Robbins Report. The report’s conviction that courses in HE should be made ‘available for all those who are qualified by ability and attainment to pursue them and who wish to…
International students make a huge contribution to the UK and bring with them a range of skills and experiences, drawn directly from their studies and from their lived experience in their home country. In 2022, the UK hosted over 600,000 international students from all over the world. Many are studying…
“We do not learn from experience … we learn from reflecting on experience.” John Dewey In our previous article we argue that employability is much more than simply about gaining a job or a set of generic and ambiguous skills. We suggest the importance of a more holistic approach to…
The prolonged heatwaves in Europe and North America over the summer of 2023 are a stark reminder that the Climate Emergency is well and truly upon us. Universities have been vociferous in advocating for action to address climate change and most institutions have accordingly developed often ambitious sustainability strategies. Whilst…
HEPI’s latest report on how institutions are responding to the cost-of-living crisis showcases sobering statistics: more than a quarter of universities (27%) have a food bank, including one-third (33%) of Russell Group universities and nearly two-thirds (63%) of universities in Wales. One-in-ten (11%) also distributes food vouchers. Sadly this comes…
For thousands of young people each year, the decision to attend university is not obvious. Instead, it poses a set of challenges that these students must face. Financial concerns, informational constraints, and a lack of preparation or support may impact or disadvantage first-generation students – those with parents who did…
The Higher Education and Research Act (2017) is intended to be transformative. It introduces a risk based approach to quality oversight which is data informed and balanced with reviews where appropriate. Its ambition is to protect student interests and the reputation of the sector, whilst also allowing the number of…
The most compelling argument that we in Higher Education can make for public funding is that we deliver a strong return on taxpayers’ money. One of the most straightforward ways we can do this is by pointing to the economic impact of ‘spinouts’ – companies that are formed based on…
In order to overcome the shortage of medical practitioners, Rishi Sunak has announced support for moving from standard five or six-year medical degrees to a compressed four-year degree programme. The duration of other health science courses, like nursing, could also be shortened. Many fret over whether this is possible without…
As university libraries prepare for an influx of new students, we spoke to Benjamin Veasey, University Librarian, and Adam Robinson, Content Manager, about the innovative schemes implemented by the University of Derby to ensure a truly excellent experience for the new starters. What are the challenges that first-year undergraduates face…