News bulletin November 2008
This bulletin summarises reports and surveys, press releases and news articles under the following headings: education; student issues and employment. In education, reports into research careers, part-time study in higher education, and internationalisation in higher education were published, and a new degree in childhood practice has been launched. On the student front, a student leadership initiative was unveiled, and the National Union of Students published a report examining student experiences. In employment, reform of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) was announced.
Education
- Report into Scottish higher education
- Part-time study in higher education
- Universities UK’s vision for higher education in 2023
- Research careers
- Teaching scheme for science postgrads expanded
- UK signs scholarship agreement with Chile
- Degree in childhood practice launched
- Internationalisation of HE: A ten-year view
- GMT
Student issues
- Student leadership programme unveiled
- Students, graduates concerned about job prospects
- NUS report on student experiences
Employment
Education
Report into Scottish higher education
This report provides an account of the many ways in which universities contribute to the Scottish Government’s Strategic Objectives. It also explores the context in which both the Scottish Government and universities can expect to operate during the next 20 years and the implications on policy development and resource allocation. The study details proposals for a new relationship between the Scottish Government, the university sector and the Scottish Funding Council, and documents a series of challenges set by the Scottish Government and Universities Scotland.
(New Horizons: Responding to the challenges of the 21st century, November 2008)
Part-time study in higher education
This paper considers skills for employment. It covers the age of information, the skills revolution, why part-time study needs to grow, the existing situation with part-time study, and posits that the current divide in full-time part-time higher education is being eroded. The study also discusses what is needed to support and extend the transition to a more flexible higher education system, the roles of employers, student support, advice and guidance, and how best to deliver the skills-based competitive edge for the UK.
(Part-time study in higher education, C E King, September 2008.)
Universities UK’s vision for higher education in 2023
This report offers a vision of the university system in 2023. It anticipates a sector in the first rank internationally, diverse, innovative, responsive and sustainably funded from various sources. The document identifies the policy goals that would create the circumstances conducive to this vision and describes the need, not for radical change and restructuring, but for informed policy. Challenges facing universities over the next 15 years are outlined, as are conditions needed for UK universities to remain part of a world-class higher education system.
(UK higher education in 2023: A contribution to the DIUS higher education debate, Universities UK, November 2008.)
Research careers
This report examines whether research careers are not always perceived as attractive by the best graduates. It adopts a longitudinal approach to research careers and focuses most attention on the early stages of research careers. It argues that the UK government, universities and research councils establish a more sophisticated understanding of the supply and demand of researchers across all sectors and disciplines so that policies can be better targeted. Recommendations are targeted towards government, universities, and Research Councils, grant-awarding bodies and subject associations.
(Research careers in the UK: A review, N Thrift, 2008.)
Teaching scheme for science postgrads expanded
Imperial College’s INSPIRE programme, a scheme set up to encourage science postgraduates to enter teaching, is expanding thanks to £500,000 funding from the Foyle Foundation. The Foyle Science Scholarships will be targeted at chemistry and physics postgraduates in particular, due to teaching shortages in these areas. INSPIRE was founded in 2002 with the aim of boosting science education in schools. The funding will also help provide a £15,000 tax-free bursary for each participant.
(London science teaching scheme welcomes £500,000 from Foyle Foundation, Imperial College press release, 11 November 2008.)
UK signs scholarship agreement with Chile
The UK and Chilean governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Educational Scholarships, the first of its kind. The Memorandum will underpin the education scholarship agreements signed by the Government of Chile and representatives of Universities UK and Russell Group Universities. At present, Chile funds 200 overseas students, with a target of 6,500 to be funded by 2012. The Chilean government is investing US $6 billion in a programme to expand the number of students studying overseas.
(UK & Chile sign Scholarship Agreement, Foreign and Commonwealth Office press release, 14 November 2008.)
Degree in childhood practice launched
The first university degree for nursery and childhood workers based on new professional standards has been launched. The BA Childhood Practice qualification will allow early-year workers further their skills, understanding and competencies in line with the new Standard for Childhood. The degree, which is being run at UHI Millennium Institute, and the universities of Strathclyde, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, is the first course to meet the new standards developed by the Scottish Social Services Council, QAA Scotland and others in the education, voluntary and private sectors.
(New 'Early Years' degree, Scottish Government press release, 11 November 2008.)
Internationalisation of HE: A ten-year view
The key argument in this report is that universities should focus their international efforts on a long-term programme of internationalisation and avoid the temptation of short-term mass recruitment to traditional study in the UK. Sustainability of recruitment, and responses to instability in international student movement and the international environment in the UK are among the principal themes discussed. The report recommends that the UK and UK institutions need to broaden their perspective on overseas work; other recommendations are aimed at employers, schools and Research Councils UK.
(Internationalisation of HE: A ten-year view, D Bone, 2008.)
GMT
The latest edition of Graduate Market Trends is now out. Articles in this edition cover working-class students, career decision-making and employability, destinations of ethnic minority graduates between 2003/04 and 2005/06, graduate mobility, international comparisons in higher education, using placements to minimise the regional brain drain, an update on the second stage of Futuretrack, and summary of a report from the National Student Forum.
(For further information, please contact gmt@prospects.ac.uk.)
Student issues
Student leadership programme unveiled
A pilot programme aimed at developing the leadership potential of students in higher education was launched recently. The Student Leadership Project, funded by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and designed by the charity Youth at Risk UK, aims to identify and support students with leadership potential who may be at risk of losing interest or leaving their course. The pilot project will work with 180 students from three universities - Thames Valley University, London Metropolitan University and the University of Bedfordshire.
(Student leadership project launched, DIUS press release, 28 October 2008 )
Students, graduates concerned about job prospects
Research by PricewaterhouseCoopers reveals that 81% of graduates are more concerned about their job prospects than they were this time last year. The two biggest impacts of the recent downturn on students personally were rising cost of living and reduced job prospects, while ongoing job security was the top concern for respondents post graduation. Banking, insurance and finance remained the most popular choice of industry destination for respondents, followed by accountancy and business services. 295 students and graduates were surveyed during September/October 2008.
(Graduates face career crunch in economic downturn, PwC press release, 13 November 2008. )
NUS report on student experiences
This report provides an overview of students’ experience across the UK. It looks at various areas, including motivation for going to university, choosing university, key influence on choice of university. Accommodation, coursework and feedback, facilities and resources, to financial situations, student welfare, employment, post-course plans and overall feelings about university are also discussed in depth. The research was conducted between May and November 2008 and comprised both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
(NUS Student Experience Report 2008, National Union of Students/HSBC, November 2008.)
Employment
Study into graduate entrepreneurship
This study focuses on the international entrepreneurial ambitions and activities of higher education students, graduates and academics. Within this constituency, British Indian (BI) and British Chinese (BC), are selected examined intensively. Various qualitative methods, including 150 interviews, were employed, supplemented with quantitative methods. Key messages include: more BI and BC have higher level skills than White British counterparts; self-employment rates for UK-born BI and BC graduates are lower than White British graduates; and there is over-subscription to business support programmes for students and graduates.
(British Indian and Chinese Student, Graduate and Academic International Entrepreneurship, 2008.)
Reform of Legal Practice Course announced
The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority has confirmed proposals that will allow students to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in two stages. Stage 1 will cover the core practice areas, course skills and professional responsibilities and conduct. Students will need to complete three vocational electives during the second stage. The new rules allow students to take stage two of the LPC at the same time as their training contracts.
(Regulator finally splits LPC in two, The Lawyer, 18 November 2008.)
