Full article here – https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2017/nov/10/lets-draw-blue-skies-research-out-of-our-universities-and-into-the-economyExtracts belowA great idea often starts with a lightbulb moment, a flash of inspiration that feels like it could be something big – but for many ideas that’s as far as it gets. For successful innovators, getting to the point where things really take off is a long and often winding road of...Read More

Full article here – https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/nov/10/postgraduate-funding-fees-students-scholarships-university-questionExtracts below:The benefits enjoyed by those with postgraduate qualifications are becoming increasingly evident. Research published by the Sutton Trust education charity suggests that, in Britain, they will earn on average 14% more than those with an undergraduate degree alone. They are also 15% more likely to be employed full-time after six months, according to...Read More

Full Article here – https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/nov/10/wo-degrees-better-than-one-career-prospects-postgraduate-studentsExtracts belowA growing number of students believe a bachelor’s degree is no longer enough to attract the attention of employers when job hunting and are entering postgraduate education to boost their employment prospects. Data from the Higher Education Funding Council shows the number of people taking full-time, taught postgrad programmes surged by more than...Read More

ull article here – https://www.aoc.co.uk/news/aoc-responds-higher-level-technical-education-reviewThe Department for Education has announced that it’ll be carrying out a review into higher level technical education, with a particular focus on Level 4 and 5 technical qualifications.In response, David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “This review into higher level technical education is long overdue because it...Read More

Full article here – https://www.aoc.co.uk/news/aoc-responds-dfe-consultation-the-ofs-regulatory-frameworkToday, the Department for Education has published a consultation on the OFS regulatory framework.In response, Julian Gravatt, Deputy Chief Executive at the Association of Colleges, said: “Colleges have offered affordable, local and employment-focused higher education across the country ‎for decades.  Around 150,000 students in over 200 colleges benefit from these opportunities each year....Read More

Full article here – http://www.bbc.com/news/education-41796728Extracts below.Scrapping interest on student loans and extending the time limit on paying it back could help to avoid a future debt crisis, a centre-right think tank says. UK 2020 is proposing that interest on all student loans – typically 6% a year – should be scrapped. This would reduce unpaid student debt by an...Read More

Full article here – https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2017/nov/01/2vcs-on-how-do-we-stop-part-time-numbers-dropping-furtherExtracts below:Numbers of part-time students, who are typically older and often juggling a job or family, or both, have more than halved. They are down 56% since 2010, according to the latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Part-time enrolments in England slumped in 2012 when the government raised the cap on...Read More

Full article and link to the consultation portal can be found here – https://consult.education.gov.uk/higher-education/degree-awarding-powers-university-title/The Department for Education (DfE) have invited views on the proposals for the criteria and processes for degree-awarding powers and university title This consultation seeks views on behalf of the Secretary of State and the new Office for Students (OfS) on the proposed...Read More

Further information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/office-for-students-regulatory-framework-for-higher-educationThis consultation sets out the context for the creation of the Office for Students and for the proposed regulatory approach and the detail of that proposed approach.This consultation seeks your views on:the proposed risk-based regulatory approach for the higher education sectorthe guidance on the conditions, behaviours, and evidence for registrationthe approach to the...Read More

Full article here – https://feweek.co.uk/2017/09/29/revealed-200m-adult-education-budget-underspend/Extracts below:Multiple sources have confirmed to FE Week that around 13 percent of the £1.5 billion AEB budget went unspent in 2016/17 – a situation sector leaders described as “worrying” and “frustrating”.David Hughes, the AoC’s chief executive, said he has been discussing the underspend with the ESFA to “help them understand how...Read More