633,045 students obtained qualifications at UK institutions in 2004/05, and there was a rise in the total number of HE-level students at UK institutions from 2,440,510 in 2003/04 to 2,480,145 in 2004/05. 346,045 staff worked in the sector in 2004/05 and the sector’s total income totalled almost £18 billion, 6.5% more than the previous year. 100,005 EU domicile (excluding UK) students studied at UK HEIs for 2004/05 There were 522,155 UCAS applicants for 2005 entry, 78% of which were accepted.

(Statistical overview of higher education: HE statistics for the United Kingdom 2004/05, Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) press release, 28 September.)

Part-time provision in higher education

Research by Universities UK stresses the importance of part-time higher education provision in meeting Government and employer needs. It also illustrates how universities have developed diverse and flexible part-time provision to meet student and employer demands and aspirations and notes that part-time study constitutes a significant contribution to the continual updating of skills in a global economy. Greater diversity is noted among part-time students than their full-time counterparts and almost half of part-time undergraduates are seeking to update their skills and knowledge. Many students are excluded from part-time financial support for reasons that do not relate to their financial circumstances. The study recommends further investigation into costs incurred by part-time students.

(Part-time provision crucial to skills agenda, says Universities UK report, Universities UK press release, 26 October).

UCAS applicant statistics for 2006 entry

389,505 applicants were accepted onto UK full-time higher education courses starting in 2006, compared with 404,668 in 2005 and 375,530 in 2004. 37,729 applicants secured a place via Clearing, compared with 36,904 last year. Various subjects saw an increase in student numbers, including chemistry, where acceptances rose by 3.7%, social work, up 6.1%, and pre-clinical medicine, rising by 2.5%. A total of 45,363 foreign students enrolled at UK universities, compared with 45,058 last year

(Provisional figures for 2006 entry, Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) press release, 18 October.)

Patterns of higher education institutions in the UK: Sixth report

Trends in higher education, patterns of diversity and student experience between 1995/96 and 2004/05 are documented. Notes that a typical institution has over a fifth of its students taking postgraduate courses, and the number of institutions with over 5,000 students from the UK rose from three in 2001/02 to 13 in 2004/05.

There was a 33% rise in enrolments over the period, and significant increases from female and ethnic minority applicants. Non-EU international students virtually doubled, while international students comprised 50% of students at taught postgraduate level. Above-average increases in student numbers were noted for computer science, subjects allied to medicine, and creative arts and design.

(Patterns of higher education institutions in the UK: Sixth report Universities UK, September 2006.)

Making every penny count: Efficiency and effectiveness in Scottish higher education

Scotland produces more academic papers per $1 million spent on higher education than other key comparator nations, and is also strong on the number of citations produced per $1 million. The top eight Scottish universities also produce more spin-outs, licences, disclosures and patents per $150 million invested than leading US universities. The study documents improvements in the numbers of overseas and EU applicants, and the numbers of first-class and successful first degrees. Completion rates in Scotland are also above the OECD average.

(Making every penny count: Efficiency and effectiveness in Scottish higher education, Universities Scotland.)

THES World University Rankings

Cambridge and Oxford now occupy second and third places in the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES)’s World University Rankings. Harvard remained in first place, though its lead fell from 13% last year to just over 3%. Yale University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) tied for fourth place. Imperial College came in at ninth place, University College London was ranked 25th, and King’s College London occupied 46th place. Glasgow and Birmingham universities made it into the top 100 for the first time.

(Oxbridge closes on Harvard in rankings Times Higher Education (THE), 6 October).

Languages review to be launched

The Government has asked Lord Ron Dearing to undertake a review of language teaching in schools in England. As part of the review, Lord Dearing will work with representatives of further and higher education on what could be done to widen access to, and increase interest in, language learning among students. He will also work closely with employer groups to assess what could be done to promote the value of language skills for business and to give stronger signals to young people about languages and employability.

(Johnson asks Lord Dearing to carry out languages review, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) press release, 12 October.)

HEFCE awards funding stimulate demand for science and engineering subjects

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has announced £18 million in funding aimed at encouraging more young people from wider backgrounds to study science and engineering subjects. The Royal Academy of Engineering has received £2.85 million over 2.5 years, the Institute of Physics has been awarded £1.785 million over two years, a consortium of mathematical societies have collectively received £3.3 million over three years and the Royal Society of Chemistry has received £3.6 million over two years. 80,000 pupils and students will be targeted.

(HEFCE working in partnership with Government to build student demand for STEM subjects, Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) press release, 10 October.).

Cambridge vice-chancellor’s annual address

Professor Alison Richard, vice-chancellor of Cambridge University, says that undergraduate education in research-intensive universities is at risk. Giving the vice-chancellor’s annual address, Professor Richard said that rankings, prestige and investments are strongly weighted towards research, making it difficult for research-intensive institutions to give serious attention to undergraduates. She called for improvements in funding for undergraduate education and a change in attitude towards the importance of teaching. Professor Richard also addressed the challenges facing teaching at Cambridge

(The well-educated undergraduate: Annual address to the Regent House, 2 October.)

Higher education graduates and graduate destinations 2004/05

The number of students successfully completing a HE course in Scotland in 2004/05 rose by 4,000. Education, medicine, biological sciences, humanities, languages, mass communication and social studies experienced significant rises but engineering and technology and creative arts student numbers fell. There was a 4% rise in Scottish-domiciled students and 20% rise in foreign-domiciled students.

59% of respondents secured employment (permanent or temporary) in the UK within six months of graduation and 27% were in further study. 34% of those gaining employment within the UK were working in health, social and community care and 23% were employed in finance and business. 80% of those in permanent employment were working in Scotland.

(Higher education graduates and graduate destinations 2004/05, Scottish Government, 4 October.)

Calls for changes in Scottish HE funding

Dr Brian Lang, Principal of St Andrews University, has called for the creation of a public inquiry to examine the future funding of Scottish universities. Dr Lang argues that the present funding system is not sustainable and says there is widespread agreement that a debate is needed on the funding of Scotland’s universities, in addition to whether students should make a greater financial contribution.

(St Andrews principal calls for change to fees, The Scotsman, 7 October.)

Opportunity and equity: Developing a framework for good practice in compact schemes

This report analyses the legacy of the Schwartz review into higher education admissions and elucidates terminology regarding compact schemes. It focuses on the extent to which compact schemes are understood and how the needs of young people from under-represented groups are met. The study, acknowledging the higher education sector’s diversity, investigates existing compact schemes, discusses equity issues, the legal framework, outlines the importance of monitoring and collaboration, and offers suggestions for disseminating good practice.

(Opportunity and equity: Developing a framework for good practice in compact schemes, C Nursaw, P Sharp, S Gwyn, M Bennett and J Irvine.)

International HE/students

Students on the move: The Future of international students in the United States

This study covers trends in international student enrolment in the USA and compares trends with those in other countries. International student enrolment in the United States peaked in 2002-03 and then fell from 586,323 in 2002-03 to 565,039 in 2004-05. Despite being the most popular destination for international students, the USA had the weakest growth in international student enrolments between 1999/2000 and 2004/05, with substantial rises in numbers studying in the UK, Germany, France, Australia and Japan. Also considers the strategies used by other countries to attract international students.

(Students on the move: The Future of international students in the United States, O Bain, D T Luu and M F Green.)

University news

Edinburgh launches £350 million funding drive

Edinburgh University has launched a funding appeal aimed at raising £350 million from supporters and benefactors by 2011. The funding has been earmarked for 33 projects, including £35 million in scholarships for disadvantaged students, building a new Centre for Regenerative Medicine, a £40 million university library redevelopment and anew teaching facility for the Royal School of Veterinary studies. The university say that the funding is needed to ensure it remains a world-leading institution. Almost £150 million has already been secured.

(University in £350 million funding drive, BBC Scotland, 6 October).

Reading to close physics department

The University of Reading is closing its physics department, with the university announcing that the department will recruit no further students after this month’s intake. It announced that the decision followed an extensive review, which concluded that the present funding context made it difficult to invest the necessary resources to maintain the department. The university’s senior management team has recommended that the department should close by July 2010.

(University statement concerning the Department of Physics, University of Reading press release, 28 September.)

Canterbury offers new degree in forensic computing

Canterbury Christ Church University is launching a BSc in Forensic Computing degree from September 2007. The course aims to quip students with skills necessary for examining and reconstructing crime scenes where IT equipment and computer systems are involved. It will also offer a solid foundation in general computing and forensic investigation, and give students the ability to study the practical problems associated with detection and investigation. Students will also get the opportunity to take part in masterclasses led by industry professionals.

(New degree in Forensic Computing, Canterbury Christ Church University press release, 4 October.)

New college opened at Durham University

A new college has been opened at Durham University. Josephine Butler College will cater for up to 800 undergraduates, postgraduates and staff. It forms part of the university’s £35 million project to enhance its student accommodation and contribute towards the sustainable growth of the university. The college is named after nineteenth-century social reform campaigner Josephine Butler. It is the first completely new college at a UK university since the opening of Robinson College, Cambridge, in 1981.

(UK’s first new college for 25 years opens at Durham University, Durham University press release, 6 October).

Oxford vice-chancellor says fee rise is inevitable

Dr John Hood, vice-chancellor of Oxford University, says that an increase in student fees is inevitable if the university is to sustain the quality of its student body and educational experience. Dr Hood was delivering the vice-chancellor’s annual Oration and argued that, even with tuition fees, Oxford will still run its undergraduate courses at a deficit. He also commented on the increase in undergraduate and postgraduate students at the university and also discussed financial issues, university governance and the research assessment exercise.

(Oration by the vice-chancellor, Oxford University Gazette, 4 October.)

Imperial to separate from University of London

Imperial College’s request to withdraw from the University of London has been accepted by the University of London Council. Imperial expects to be fully independent in July 2007 and the first students registering for an Imperial degree will be postgraduates beginning their courses in October 2007. The first undergraduates to enrol for an Imperial degree will do so in October 2008. All continuing students registered for a University of London degree at the time of withdrawal can choose whether to switch to an Imperial degree.

(University of London Council agrees withdrawal arrangements for Imperial College London, Imperial College press release, 5 October.)

Open University makes learning resources available on web

The Open University (OU) is making its educational resources freely available on the Web. It aims to make some 5,000 hours’ worth of material available by April 2008, which can be used by learners and educators. The material will cover various topics from access to postgraduate level, and using the university’s virtual learning environment. The OpenLearn project has received £5.6 million from a US charitable trust.

(OU offers free learning materials, BBC News: Education & Family, 24 October).

Student issues

NatWest Student Money Matters Survey

22% of students starting university in 2006 will live at home, compared with 16% last year, according to NatWest research. Seven in ten (71%) of students going to university this autumn said finance was a concern, while 79% said they were going to university to enhance job prospects. 63% of graduate respondents felt that university was best way to improve job prospects, a rise from 60% last year. 1,003 graduates, 1,071 current students and 1,059 sixth-formers were surveyed.

(Students stay put and think of tomorrow, NatWest press release, 6 October.)

Graduates struggling to afford to buy own home

A Scottish Widows survey suggests that over half of graduates cannot afford to buy a home, the principal reasons being high house prices and student debts. One in ten of respondents regarded the problem as long term and say they will never be able to join the property ladder. 68% of those who bought a home with a partner say they would be unable to afford to buy the other out in the event of a split. Almost a third said they could not save enough for a deposit due to them paying off student debts.

(Graduates face home ownership woe, BBC Business 5 October).

Graduates risking pensions by not saving early enough

Research from HSBC suggests that graduates who delay their pension contributions are risking their future retirement income. It calculated that a 21-yearo-old paying £75 per month into a stakeholder pension could achieve a fund of £337,000, buying a pension of £12,700 annually. Delaying contributions for two years would achieve 14% less (£10,900 yearly) and five years’ delay would give 31% less (£8,970 annually). Those waiting until they are 30 could see their pension fall by 49%.

(Graduate risk halving pension, Reuters, 24 October).

Career guidance news

Students wished they’d received better careers advice at school

Research by the Association of Colleges reveals that 66% of respondents wished they had received better careers advice at school. 58% wished they had had the opportunity to combine academic and practical options at school. Six in ten (59%) of the 1,027 respondents felt that A-levels had prepared them well for university and 67% felt that students with practical skills such as IT or business administration tended to be more employable.

(Students rue poor careers advice, BBC News: Education & Family, 2 October.)

Graduate recruitment

Graduate skills and recruitment in the City

The Corporation of London has published a report examining the relationship between UK higher education and Financial and Related Business Services (FRBS) employers in the City of London. It analyses perceptions of skills required of graduate recruits, discusses existing recruitment practices and assesses views on the performance of UK HEIs as providers of suitably qualified labour.

Recruiters surveyed focussed their recruitment on around a dozen ‘magic circle’ universities, with 75% concentrating on a ‘target list’ of institutions. There was also little evidence of coherent collaboration between universities and recruiters.

Employers want greater collaboration with teaching staff, and expect careers services to play a more active role in relationships with institutions. Recruiters are moving towards hiring more overseas graduates, who are regarded as having skills and attributes that UK graduates are seen as lacking.

The study analysed 25 financial services and related business firms and 10 higher education institutes.

(Graduate skills and recruitment in the City, City of London Corporation/Financial Services Sector Skills Council, September 2006.)

Building a globally competitive IT services industry, LogicaCMG/CBI

The report calls for reduction in tuition fees in science, technology and engineering (STEM) subjects in a bid to boost IT recruitment levels. Incentives should also be given to STEM teachers. It also recommends a strengthening of employer-education links to ensure employees benefit from work-based learning. Furthermore, it proposes a development of better links between universities and the IT industry, for example IT professionals acting as guest lecturers at universities, ensuring that courses are more relevant A review of UK curricula is needed to focus on wider skill set required by business and IT services industry.

(Building a globally competitive IT services industry, LogicaCMG/CBI.)

Infosys launches graduate recruitment scheme

IT firm Infosys is launching a UK graduate recruitment drive as it expands its European operations. It is recruiting graduates for entry-level posts, and has already recruited 125 US graduates for a similar programme. The firm is initially hiring 25 graduates from 12 UK universities. Recruits will undertake six months classroom training in India and will earn certification in addition to practical project experience. The campaign begins on 16 October and graduates with technology or liberal arts backgrounds are invited to apply.

(Infosys targets UK graduates in recruitment drive, BBC News: Education & Family, 4 October).

Zurich launches graduate training programme

Zurich Financial Services has launched a one-year structured graduate training programme. The Global Associate Programme will include domestic and international placements in a chosen specialist segment and will see recruits receive training aimed at developing them into senior financial experts with the potential to reach management level in three to five years. The firm is recruiting worldwide and aims to hire 60 associates in 12 countries.

(Zurich Financial Services launches one-year structured global graduate training programme, Personnel Today, 10 October.)

NHS streamlines graduate recruitment process

The National Health Service (NHS) has launched an innovative graduate assessment process that will improve the efficiency of its graduate recruitment activities. It looked to occupational psychologist Pearn Kandola to examine ways of saving time for senior managers. Candidates will now face a motivation trait test, examining their motivation to do the job, and a situational judgement test, which will present candidates with real-life work scenarios. The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme attracts over 6,000 applications annually.

(NHS overhauls graduate management recruitment process in drive for greater efficiency, Online Recruitment, 5 October.)

US law firms to offer internships for City Law School students

Three US law firms have secured an agreement with London’s City Law School to offer three-month internships to a number of its students. O’Melveny & Myers and Sidley Austin in London , in addition to Howrey’s Brussels office, will offer placements to graduates studying for City’s LLM programme in international commercial law, which was launched in September. Selection for the internships is by open competition.

(US firms take on City Law School interns, Legal Week, 5 October.)

Manchester law firms sign up for bespoke LPCs

Manchester law firms Cobbetts and Halliwells have signed up to bespoke Legal Practice Courses (LPC)s with the College of Law. The agreements mean that the firms’ future trainees will have to undertake the LPC+ at the College of Law. The courses begin in September 2007. A number of London law firms, including Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, and Linklaters, have signed up to bespoke LPC courses with the College of Law.

(Cobbetts and Halliwells join bespoke LPC bandwagon, Legal Week, 11 October.)

New training posts for medical graduates announced

The Department of Health (DH) recently announced that medical graduates can expect to secure training posts as part of the Modernising Medical Careers initiative. Reform of specialist medical training is taking place in August 2007. It is designed to enhance the quality and safety of patient care through better education and training for doctors, thereby guaranteeing delivery of more NHS services by fully trained specialist doctors.

Before August 2007, doctors presently working as foundation doctors and as senior house officers will be able to apply for training posts within the new system.

(Chief medical officers announce training posts for new medical training programme, Department of Health (DH) press release, 29 September.)

Widening participation scheme for legal profession announced

The College of Law and the Sutton Trust are providing £1.5 million to encourage more people from less privileged backgrounds to study law enter the legal profession. The Pathways to Law initiative could help around 750 students by 2010. This would equate to approximately 12.5% of the 6,000 trainee solicitors in the UK if all were awarded training contracts. 15 and 16-year-old state school pupils will be targeted, will be mentored at school and university, and be introduced to contacts in the legal profession.

(College of Law gives £1.25m to encourage diversity, The Lawyer 16 October.)

Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) news

AGR membership increase

The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), the body acting as a gateway between graduate recruiters, universities, suppliers and policy makers, has experienced an increase in its membership, taking its total membership beyond the 700 mark. 25 new members joined the AGR in August 2006, representing a 20% increase over the last two years.

(Graduate intake, Recruitment Consultant, October 2006).

Age discrimination and recruitment

The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) has published a briefing paper that provides advice and guidance to AGR members on how to ensure their graduate recruitment processes do not fall foul of age discrimination legislation. The paper warns of potential pitfalls surrounding job requirements, recruitment methods, terms of job offer, and the recruitment process. It cites examples of legal cases in Australia and Ireland.

(Age discrimination and recruitment, A Brown, October 2006. The paper is available free of charge to AGR members from the AGR website. It costs £10.00 for non-members.)

Graduate labour market

First Direct offers foundation degrees for employees

First Direct is offering its employees the opportunity to study for a foundation degree. Huddersfield University’s business school will deliver coursework weekly at the bank’s headquarters in Leeds. The firm is subsidising the course and will cost staff £100 a year. Staff successfully completing the course will be able to progress to study for a full honours degree in business studies. The course focuses on skills that the bank regard as necessary for a career within the business, including financial services, business administration and management, and global marketing.

(First Direct offers staff foundation degrees at Leeds headquarters, Personnel Today, 16 October.)

Allen & Overy introduces new pay scheme for associate solicitors

City law firm Allen & Overy is introducing a new pay scheme for its associate solicitors. Under the new deal, associates and trainees will see a 15% rise in their salaries starting at the beginning of November. Associate pay will now be linked to the value of a partner profit point, which equated to £24,008 last year. A new competency framework is underpinning the initiative and the firm will continue to roll out its career management programme.

(A & O associates to get 15 per cent salary hike in massive pay shake up, The Lawyer, 12 October.)

RCN survey suggests nurses struggling to find jobs

71% of newly qualified nurses are still searching for a permanent post, according to research from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The survey of 507 newly qualified nurses and 2,244 student nurses also concluded that 86% of newly qualified nurses were not confident in finding a post. 66% of student nurses felt they would not secure a permanent post upon qualifying, while 38% had considered quitting their studies. The study also analysed the impact of recruitment freezes on nurses at the start of their careers.

(Majority of new nurses unable to find jobs in the NHS says RCN, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) press release, 19 October.)

Members' login

October 2006

HE sector news

International HE/students

University news

Student issues

Career guidance news

Graduate recruitment

Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) news

Graduate labour market

HE sector news

Part-time provision in higher education

UCAS applicant statistics for 2006 entry

THES World University Rankings

Languages review to be launched

HEFCE awards funding stimulate demand for science and engineering subjects

Cambridge vice-chancellor’s annual address

Higher education graduates and graduate destinations 2004/05

Calls for changes in Scottish HE funding

Opportunity and equity: Developing a framework for good practice in compact schemes

International HE/students

University news

Reading to close physics department

Canterbury offers new degree in forensic computing

New college opened at Durham University

Oxford vice-chancellor says fee rise is inevitable

Imperial to separate from University of London

Open University makes learning resources available on web

Student issues

Graduates struggling to afford to buy own home

Graduates risking pensions by not saving early enough

Career guidance news

Graduate recruitment

Infosys launches graduate recruitment scheme

Zurich launches graduate training programme

NHS streamlines graduate recruitment process

US law firms to offer internships for City Law School students

Manchester law firms sign up for bespoke LPCs

New training posts for medical graduates announced

Widening participation scheme for legal profession announced

Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) news

Age discrimination and recruitment

Graduate labour market

Allen & Overy introduces new pay scheme for associate solicitors

RCN survey suggests nurses struggling to find jobs

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