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

Publications

In recent years, HEPI has produced over 20 reports a year. They are all available free of charge here on our website and all our longer reports are also available in hard copy from the HEPI office.

The version on the website should be regarded as the version of record.

  • The Positive and Mindful University

    21 September 2017 by Anthony Seldon and Alan Martin

    In this HEPI Occasional Paper, Sir Anthony Seldon and Dr Alan Martin explore the concept of a ‘positive university’ by looking at the approaches used by positive psychology and mindfulness. With increasing concern about the health of students and staff, this report considers the importance of a proactive approach to…

  • A crisis in the creative arts in the UK?

    7 September 2017 by John Last

    Recent debates have focused on the direct economic returns of obtaining a degree – and certain degrees in particular. Taking one county as an example, this report by the Vice-Chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts, Professor John Last, reveals the knock-on effect for the options available in schools. In…

  • Where next for widening participation and fair access? New insights from leading thinkers

    14 August 2017 by Edited by Nick Hillman

    The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and the social mobility charity Brightside are jointly publishing a collection of essays by senior higher education figures entitled Where next for widening participation and fair access? New insights from leading thinkers. Contributors include: Kirsty Williams AM, the Cabinet Secretary for Education in the…

  • REALITY CHECK: A report on university applicants’ attitudes and perceptions

    4 July 2017

    Since 2006, HEPI has run the Student Academic Experience Survey, generally in conjunction with the Higher Education Academy. This shows a big gap between students’ prior expectations and their time in higher education. It also shows the degree to which prior expectations are met explains students’ perceptions of value for money and…

  • 2017 Student Academic Experience Survey

    7 June 2017 by Jonathan Neves (HEA) and Nick Hillman (HEPI)

    The UK-wide HEPI / HEA Survey was first undertaken in 2006. This year’s results are challenging, showing students have: falling perceptions of value for money; continue to display relatively low wellbeing compared to the rest of the population; and have yet to love England’s high-fees model of funding undergraduate education. There are…

  • Whither teacher education and training?

    27 April 2017 by John Cater

    John Cater, the Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University, looks at the history of teacher training over the past half a century. Most of the recent reforms – such as a push for more school based teacher training – have antecedents. But policymakers have often missed the lessons from the successes…

  • Return on investment? How universities communicate with the outside world

    30 March 2017 by Richard Garner

    Richard Garner is the UK’s longest-serving education correspondent and has worked at the Times Educational Supplement, the Mirror and the Independent. In this HEPI Occasional Paper, he questions whether universities are making the most of their opportunities to work with the media. Through a series of colourful anecdotes, he reveals…

  • Reforming BTECs: Applied General qualifications as a route to higher education

    23 February 2017 by Scott Kelly

    The dramatic rise in the number of university students holding BTECs raises important questions about the purpose of the qualification and whether it should be treated by policymakers as part of an academic or vocational pathway. Scott Kelly discusses these issues and makes a number of recommendations for policymakers and…