Minimum entry standards ‘blunt tool’ to tackle franchise abuse
Introducing language requirements for whole sector undermines government’s widening access mission, universities say.
Will the education white paper proposals hamper student access? (And what is going on with maintenance loans?)
The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper was published in October 2025. (For colleagues who are not policy wonks, White Papers from the Government set out plans for future legislation.)
The doctoral experience remains shaped by socioeconomic status
Cassandra Hugill argues that more needs to be done to support students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to thrive during their postgraduate studies.
Oxbridge state school intake creeps up after years of declines
Elite universities continue to see slow progress on widening participation measures, with proportion of disadvantaged students down compared with start of decade.
UK ‘may live to regret’ loss of Turing exchange scheme
Focus on widening participation and shorter exchanges difficult to replicate in wider Erasmus programme, experts fear.
Helping adults overcome barriers to training
Many barriers still prevent adults from taking part in upskilling and reskilling, even when training opportunities exist.
Advancing inclusive growth in cities for youth
Across the OECD and the EU, young people in cities face particular challenges in accessing quality jobs, affordable and adequate housing, essential services, and urban amenities.
Students could be required to pass GCSE English to access university loans
University students would face minimum grade requirements to qualify for student loans in England under proposals that could in effect bar thousands of young people from higher education.
How the UCAS process magnifies inequality: part two
At the end of part one, we introduced Tom and William and discussed how inequalities are magnified at the Firm stage. This piece now walks through what happens to them at Insurance and Clearing.
How the UCAS process magnifies inequality: part one
The direction of travel for the 2026 UCAS admissions consultation is towards a reconceived and expanded Clearing.
Warwick and Reading rebrand foundation and language provision as Global Academies
The University of Warwick and the University of Reading have both rebranded their language and foundation studies operations as Global Academies, reflecting a wider rethink of how universities support international students and where those functions sit within institutions.
More UK students ‘cutting back on food’ to pay rent
Risk that universities will only be accessible to wealthier students owing to sky-high accommodation costs, report warns.
We must focus on widening access to postgraduate degrees
At the heart of Labour’s historic mission is to provide equality of opportunity: to break the link between someone’s background and their future success.
Why access and participation plans aren’t working for music conservatoires and what could
2026 has been a busy year for the Office for Students.