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February/March2009

This bulletin summarises reports and surveys, press releases and news articles under the following headings: education; and employment. In education, reports examining PhD trends, the impact of tuition fees, widening participation, and the marketisation of higher education were published, while Durham University unveiled a new scholarship and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council announced funding for doctoral training. In employment, the Association of Graduate Recruiters published its Winter Review, as well as a briefing paper looking at the business benefits of graduate schemes, and various law firms announced that they were asking their trainee solicitors for 2009 to defer their training contracts.

Education

Employment

Education

Report into PhD trends

This report describes the characteristics of starters to doctoral degree course in UK higher education institutions between 1996/97 and 2004/05. It covers overall trends in PhD starters, trends in PhD starters by student attributes and trends in PhD starters by course attributes. The study concludes that the number of starters to full-time PhD programmes grew by 22% in the period, while the number of starters to part-time programmes fell by 6%.

(PhD study: Trends and profiles, 1996-7 to 2004-05, Higher Education Funding Council for England, February 2009.)

Strathclyde strengthens links with small firms

Small businesses in Scotland are set to benefit from academic research and consultancy as part of a new scheme unveiled by Strathclyde University. The Strathclyde Links project will allow SMEs to access and fund various business services (e.g., student placements, research and consultancy projects, and continuous professional development) to help them to grow. The project, funded by the Scottish Government’s SEEKIT programme and the European Regional Development Fund, will facilitate introductions between companies and staff across the university.

(Strathcylyde forges stronger links with business, Strathclyde University press release.)

Expansion plans for Ulster University

The University of Ulster has unveiled a £250million plan to expand its Magee campus and increase student numbers by 2,000. The university also plans to expand onto land currently occupied by Foyle and Londonderry College. The plans also include provision for the creation of two new faculties, in Sustainable Technologies and Health and Wellbeing. Professor Richard Barnett, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, said the blueprint would ‘transform’ the campus and region.

(£250m expansion plan for Magee, BBC Northern Ireland, 9 February 2009.)

Durham launches scholarship

Durham University has pledged £200,000 to help its graduates compete for jobs in a tougher economic climate. More than 100 of the university’s home and overseas graduates will be in line for a £2,000 scholarship for a one-year taught postgraduate course for October 2009 entry. The rationale of the scheme is to encourage graduates to acquire enhanced transferable skills to give them further advantage in the job market. The scheme will be run for one year but may be extended.

(University pledges £200,000 to aid 'credit crunch' graduates, Durham University press release, 6 February 2009.)

Doctoral Training Grants unveiled

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has announced £82million in grants to train Britain’s future scientists and engineers. The Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs), which have been awarded to 45 universities and higher education institutions, will generate over 1,200 PhD students. Universities have a target of using 10% of their DTG funding for industry-related training to broaden the student experience.

(£82m award to train scientists and engineers for Britain's future, EPSRC press release, 11 February 2009.)

£7.9 billion funding for HE announced

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is investing £7.9 billion in higher education in England for 2009/10, representing a 4% rise on the previous year. The main elements of the grant cover teaching, widening participation, research, business and community engagement, and capital funding to help combat the recession. In 2009/10, there will be growth in full funded student numbers of 10,000, and the position of science subjects is being protected.

(HEFCE invests nearly £8billion in higher education in England to secure future prosperity, HEFCE press release, 5 March 2009.)

Marketisation of higher education

This paper considers what is meant by marketisation of higher education. It considers the arguments for and against the organisation of student education on market lines, and suggests some principles that should be followed if the benefits of markets in higher education are secured without detriments. Three conclusions are reached: first, there needs to be a balanced system of funding as between institutions and students. Secondly, there should be a continuing system of external and self-regulation; thirdly, the State has a crucial role in both endeavours.

(The role of the market in higher education, R. Brown and P. Scott, March 2009.)

Part-time students crucial to higher education growth

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, proposed recently that higher education growth will be delivered through an increase in the number of part-time students. Addressing the HE Debate at the Wellcome Trust, Mr Denham proposed that the growth in part-time students will require a development of more flexible degrees, which would allow students to complete a degree through study at more than one institution. Mr Denham’s speech also covered postgraduate research and study, research excellence and the need for better partnerships between institutions.

(New flexible degrees the key to growth in higher education, DIUS press release, 24 February 2009.)

Widening participation in higher education

This report examines progress in widening participation, and how government and the higher education sector are seeking to widen participation. Its principal conclusion is that, despite an increase in participation in higher education since 1990-2000, certain groups (e.g. men from lower socio-economic backgrounds and young people living in deprived areas) remain under-represented. The report urges universities to target schools in disadvantaged areas, and calls for further research into participation of under-represented groups and development of measures capturing participation rates.

(Widening participation in higher education, House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2 February 2009.)

Alternative funding for English higher education

This paper provides an outline of the foundations for a possible new structure for funding higher education in England. It argues that students should make a contribution to the costs of higher education according to the true benefit while they work. It also calls for increased efficiency in the systems and processes of higher education funding and for the reestablishment of the financial compact between the State, individuals and employers.

(Five foundations for an alternative higher education funding system for England, W Streeting and A Porter, March 2009.)

Impact of variable tuition fees

This report considers the impact of changes to the variable fees system might have on universities, students and government. It investigates the following scenarios: the implications of different variable fee levels - from maintaining the current position, to an increase in the cap to £5,000 and to £7,000; the different mechanisms for fee payment and fee support; and the associated bursary and maintenance packages.

(Changing landscapes: Future scenarios for variable tuition fees, Universities UK, March 2009.)

Student enrolments and qualifications

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has published figures on student enrolments and qualifications obtained by higher education students and qualifiers in the UK for the 2007/08 academic year. The figures reveal that postgraduate and undergraduate enrolments both showed no percentage change between 2006/07 and 2007/08; the number of first-degree graduates rose by 5%, compared with the previous year. Statistics on enrolments and qualifications for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are also covered.

(Higher education student enrolments and qualifications obtained at higher education institutions in the United Kingdom for the academic year 2007/08, HESA press release, 29 January 2009.)

Students in Welsh higher education institutions

This document provides information about students enrolled at Welsh higher education institutions (HEIs) and Welsh-domiciled students enrolled at HEIs throughout the UK in 2007/08. In 2007/08, there were 125,540 higher education enrolments, a 2% drop compared with the previous year. Part-time enrolments made up 38% of total enrolments and saw a 7% decrease, whereas full-time enrolments rose by 1%. Postgraduate and undergraduate enrolments were both down on the previous year. 35,185 higher education qualifications were obtained at Welsh HEIs in 2007/08.

(Students in higher education institutions - Wales 2007/08, Welsh Assembly Government Statistical Directorate, 26 February 2009.)

Higher education centre for Blackburn

The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) is providing a £3.2million grant for a new University Centre at Blackburn College. The funding will contribute to a £13.9million higher education facility, which will serve up to 600 extra students. Blackburn College and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) are providing the rest of the funding for the new building, which opens in September. It is anticipated that the new centre will help 433 adults to gain Foundation Degrees each year.

(£3.2million for higher education in Blackburn, NWDA press release, 19 February 2009.)

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Employment

AGR graduate salary and vacancy review

This study reviews AGR members’ recruitment intentions for the 2009 recruitment year. It covers graduate vacancies and salaries, graduate recruitment marketing, hot topics in graduate recruitment. Key findings from the study include: median starting salaries are set to remain stagnant at £25,000; the median number of vacancies per AGR organisation is set to be lower in 2009 and than in 2008; there is set to be a modest rise in graduate recruitment marketing spend compared with 2008. 245 employers participated in the survey.

(The AGR Graduate Recruitment Survey 2009: Winter Review, AGR/trendence, February 2009. The report is free to AGR members; to order a copy, please contact the AGR.)

Evaluating the benefits of graduate schemes

The purpose of this paper is to help employers evaluate the benefits that a graduate scheme can bring to their business. It advises employers on how to build a business case for investing in graduate talent by identifying, collecting and analysing various types of data needed to measure return on investment. The paper also looks at placement schemes, the value they bring in their own right, and the benefits to employers. Practical advice, ideas and suggestions are provided through case studies.

(What is the return on your investment? AGR briefing paper, March 2009. Free to AGR members or £20 to non-members.)

City law firms asking trainees to defer

City Law firms are paying graduates to defer starting their training contracts for a year, to balance recruitment. Norton Rose has asked 55 trainees to postpone commencing work at the firm, provided they do something ‘meaningful and constructive’ with their time off. Other firms, including DLA Piper, Baker and McKenzie, and Penningtons, are offering trainees at least £5,000 to defer.

(City law firms pay graduates to defer starting work for a year, Personnel Today, 4 March 2009.)

New fast-track teaching scheme announced

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has announced new steps to attract more outstanding individuals into teaching as a career. Schools Minister Jim Knight said that outstanding teacher training applicants could achieve Qualified Teacher Status in six months, instead of a year, as part of the Government’s Working Together Public Service Reform Paper. The fast-track scheme encourages career changes with several years’ professional experience in areas such as financial services, hi-tech industries, especially into shortage subjects, e.g., science and maths.

(New fast track into teaching and headship for the best, DCSF press release, 10 March 2009.)

Hammonds paying trainee solicitors to defer

Hammonds has become the latest law firm to offer trainee solicitors due to start in September 2009 a cash incentive to push back their start dates. Candidates who decide to defer their contracts will receive a £7,000 maintenance grant in London and £5,000 for those living outside of London. In addition to the grant, trainees will be offered the opportunity to take up a 2-4-month client secondment, for which they will be paid up to £1,000 for each month they work.

(Hammonds offers secondments to deferring trainees, The Lawyer, 20 March 2009.)

Centrica wins work experience award

Centrica has beaten more than 200 organisations to take the award of Best Work Placement Provider at the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE)’s Awards. The firm competed with businesses from all sectors and sizes. Centrica also won against BP and Barclays Capital in the over 250 employees short-term placement category, before going on to win the overall title. Now in their sixth year, the NCWE Awards are the only awards to recognise and reward employers who provide quality undergraduate work placements.

(Centrica wins work experience crown, NCWE press release, 6 March 2009.)

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