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The UK's higher education system must become "less precious" and emulate the "messier" half of the US model if it wants to succeed, a leading scholar has argued in an analysis of the policy errors affecting the sector.

Universities offer essential access to Asian market, Dearing conference hears. Jack Grove reports

The Home Secretary has exempted PhD-level jobs from a new pay threshold preventing lower-paid workers from settling in the UK.

The expansion of higher education over the past 15 years has largely benefited middle-class rather than working-class children, a study has suggested.

Nearly two thirds of people underestimate the value of international students to the UK economy, a new poll has found.

All undergraduates should be offered 10 to 12 week internships to improve their employability, according to a government-commissioned review of links between universities and business.

The Sutton Trust has launched a US version of its summer school camps to give UK students the chance to study at an American university.

By Scott Jaschik, for

Glyndwr University and controversy-hit recruitment company A4e have agreed they need more time to negotiate a partnership that would see the institution validate the firm’s awards.

Teachers and lecturers are more likely to work unpaid overtime than workers in any other occupation, according to union figures.

A record number of Americans are studying at British universities, new data show.

Expanding into the Big Apple provides a platform for high-tech start-ups. John Morgan reports

Unease with internationalisation echoes growing concerns in other Nordic nations. Ed Dutton reports

Student claims lack of promised dyslexia support cost him a first-class degree. Jack Grove writes

David Matthews reports on debate about whether claiming students' IP rights could halt plagiarism

Most institutions receiving SLC funds have had no quality review. John Morgan reports

Les Ebdon could face a legal challenge from universities if he tries to use the "nuclear option" of capping their tuition fees because they are failing to recruit enough students from poor backgrounds.

Max Clifford discussed reputation with college head after row over resignation. David Matthews writes

Two leading scientific journals are likely to publish in full two controversial papers detailing a new version of the bird flu virus that may be transmissible between humans despite a US federal advisory body warning of its potentially "catastrophic" misuse by "malevolent individuals, organisations or governments".

Budget-driven cuts mean language studies are now unavailable in some regions. Simon Baker reports

These striking wire-mesh sculptures of naked, falling figures hanging from the ceiling often attract attention and comment from students and visitors at the University of Sunderland's automotive engineering department.

Debts of £65,000 seen as 'huge disincentive' to further study in Stem subjects. Paul Jump writes

Plans for students to apply for university after getting their A-level results have been strongly criticised by an admissions advice group.

Institutions seek competitive alternative to bank loans for facility upgrades, writes Simon Baker

Students who repay their tuition fees early may simply be making an unnecessary "gift to the government", an economist has warned.

A row about a redefinition of academic freedom has escalated in Canada, with the head of the representative body for academics condemning the document as "a full-scale attack on academic freedom like no other we have seen".

With novel credentials being developed and employers seeing the value of low-cost study based on open courseware, Jon Marcus asks if the bricks-and-mortar elite will end up on the wrong side of history

'The young have fewer preconceptions' - Will Self talks to Jack Grove about his new professorship

The quality of US physics has been surpassed by that of both Canada and the UK over the past decade, new analysis commissioned by the Institute of Physics suggests.

Universities must foster in their students the “benevolent and amiable temper of mind” defined by the novelist Henry Fielding, a leading international peacekeeper told the Association of International Education Administrators’ annual conference, this year held in Washington DC.

By Steve Kolowich, for Inside Higher Ed

Les Ebdon has been formally appointed as the new director of fair access, with business secretary Vince Cable telling the parliamentary committee that rejected him there were no “new, relevant facts” preventing his selection.

A private company that specialises in long-term multi-million pound deals to build and run student facilities has extended its reach in the sector with a new £57.2 million contract with Nottingham Trent University.

The government has rejected calls for an amendment to the Freedom of Information Act that would specifically exempt pre-publication research data from release.

Two teenagers have lost their legal battle against the increase in tuition fees this year.

The UK Research Integrity Office has welcomed calls for it to be placed at the centre of a toughened research integrity oversight regime in the UK.

Students will not be penalised for paying back their tuition fees early, the government has indicated.

Stiff fines await over-recruiters, with London Met facing a possible £6m bill. John Morgan reports

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council has deferred until the end of March more decisions on which areas of mathematics and physical sciences will grow or shrink.

The poor research record of US for-profit institutions makes them unworthy of the term "university", UK academics have claimed.

Business secretary overrules committee on Ebdon in a politically charged process. Simon Baker writes

Ebdon's Iceland holiday may have facilitated BIS panel's cold shouldering, reports Simon Baker

Blueprint will address tension between standards and participation levels. Matthew Reisz reports

A "cultural shift" is needed to embed "student-centred teaching" in universities, a new report claims.

John Gill has been appointed the new editor of ̽����Ƶ following the promotion of Ann Mroz to a new position within its parent company, TSL Education.

The Broadlands Archives at the University of Southampton include a huge quantity of material from Broadlands in Hampshire, the country residence of the 19th-century prime minister Lord Palmerston and later of Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India.

Survey finds course suitability is still the overriding factor influencing applicants. Simon Baker writes

Lecturer's agreement with publisher gives first-years core psychology texts for free. Matthew Reisz writes

Jon Marcus examines the trend for basing US university budgets on outcomes, not enrolments

Studentships will be restricted to 20 centres as council keeps numbers steady. Paul Jump reports

A legal battle over IRA interview tapes held by a US college is nearing its climax. Jon Marcus reports