̽����Ƶ

Powerful public universities are manipulating the “desperation of people whose university systems [have been] completely demolished” to make a “fortune” from overseas branch campuses, a senior university leader has claimed.

A university’s process for closing courses was “not fit for purpose” and the restructure of one of its colleges had a “detrimental impact” on students as a result, an investigation has found.

Higher education’s best leaders, managers and administrators have been honoured at an annual awards ceremony, with Birkbeck, University of London taking the top prize.

An independent taskforce headed by the founder of a popular personal finance website has been set up to tackle the “myths and misunderstandings” of the new system of student fees and loans due to come into force in September 2012.

̽����Ƶ has been awarded two of the top accolades at this year’s PPA Awards, taking the title of magazine of the year in its category.

Efforts to smooth path to new funding regime 'at risk', chief executive says. Simon Baker reports

Rallies, vigils and strikes greet government efforts to 'halve' tuition costs. John Morgan reports

Matthew Reisz and Diana Garrisi on the lettori's long-running struggle for equality and respect

AAUP must stop navel-gazing and form alliances to protect staff, Gary Rhoades tells Jon Marcus

These very different nautically themed objects both come from the collections of the University of Sheffield.

The European Commission's head of higher education has warned that university rankings are "homogenising" institutions across the Continent as a system was launched that aims to counter the research "reputation race".

Anonymous donation of prize Picasso will yield vast sum for Sydney centre. Matthew Reisz writes

Government considers a policy mix to drive down costs to the taxpayer. John Morgan reports

Just one in seven full-time undergraduate courses and one in 50 part-time programmes will be able to present complete information for prospective students as part of the new standard datasets that universities must publish from next year.

A journal's decision to ditch a paper questioning a law of physics has proved costly. Paul Jump reports

The social impact of universities over and above their direct economic contribution to the UK is worth £1.31 billion a year, a report published as part of Universities Week says.

Coalition follows PR advice over fees and gets caught in a language trap. Simon Baker reports

As complaints rise, watchdog publishes cases of non-compliance by institutions. Simon Baker writes

A survey of more than 500 professors has found that eight out of 10 believe that for-profit institutions should not have access to state subsidies such as taxpayer-funded student loans.

...we just have to explain to the public what it means. Nick Petford tells all to Paul Jump

Research on past rural attitudes to homosexuality informs new film project. Matthew Reisz reports

Welsh universities have had their initial plans for higher tuition fees in 2012-13 rejected by the country’s funding council in a move that will be closely watched in England.

By Allie Grasgreen, for

A strike by lecturers in newer universities is to be joined by thousands of schoolteachers, as unions join forces to oppose cuts to pensions.

Medical researchers have welcomed the increased emphasis on research following the government’s rethink on its proposed reorganisation of the NHS.

The University of Cambridge has set up its own small grants scheme for research in the arts, humanities and social sciences following the decision by two bodies to end similar programmes at the national level.

The number of student complaints referred to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator shot up by a third last year, according to figures released today.

The UK should look at the way other countries are “professionalising” teaching in higher education, mindful of the fact that "not everyone takes [existing] courses seriously".

The number of student visas issued over the next five years is to be cut by 260,000, according to the Home Office.

Steve Smith has been knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours after steering Universities UK through one of the higher education sector’s most turbulent periods.

The Treasury has ended the anomaly of being the only government department to lack a chief scientific adviser.

US lecturer highlights the politics and pros and cons of working in China. Sarah Cunnane reports

And more institutions will soon follow its lead in offering 'affordable' charges, v-c tells John Morgan

These amulets form part of a collection held at the University of Michigan's Taubman Health Sciences Library.

Group behind USS overhaul applies for further £100,000 award. John Morgan reports

A £5 million-a-year partnership between India and the UK is to help the world's second most populous country in its bid to treble the number of university places to 40 million.

UK risks 'almost exclusively' educating foreign students, arts university chief tells Simon Baker

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has written to vice-chancellors urging them to consider derecognising the University and College Union if it "refuses to address claims of institutional racism".

Conference hears that both competition and collaboration will grow as global trade in higher education booms. Sarah Cunnane reports from Vancouver

Private-sector leader explains why India remains a potent but elusive prize for the West

Universities face an uncertain future in the wake of the earthquake, reports Michael Fitzpatrick

Hertfordshire v-c advises academy not to get distracted by the extras. Sarah Cunnane writes

Royal Society role for the internet's favourite chemistry professor. Matthew Reisz writes

By Kevin Kiley, for

The backlash against plans for a new £18,000-a-year college for the humanities intensified when protesters set off a flare during a talk by the institution’s founding master.

Academics at the University of Oxford have voted through a motion of “no confidence” in David Willetts, the universities and science minister.

An influential cross-party committee of MPs has warned that the government could face a funding gap of “several hundred million pounds” as a result of its policy on tuition fees and raised the prospect of student places being cut to address the deficit.

A new private university college is to be launched, specialising in the arts and humanities and charging tuition fees of £18,000 a year.