The Independent

Student loans chief Ed Lester to stand down

25 May 2012 12:04 PM

Student Loans Company head Ed Lester will stand down when his contract expires next year in the wake of controversy over his tax arrangements.

Middle man: Michael Farthing (left), chair of the 1994 Group and vice-chancellor of Sussex University

Michael Farthing: 'The 1994 Group represents the sane middle'

10 May 2012 12:00 AM

Michael Farthing's 1994 Group may not shout as loudly as the Russell Group of universities, but, he tells Richard Garner, it represents the 'sane middle' in the heated debate about the future of higher education.

Chalk Talk: Too many famous lecturers – and not enough time for checking out gigs

26 April 2012 12:00 AM

It will be interesting to see how Professor AC Grayling's New College for the Humanities (NCH) beds down when it opens its doors to students for the first time this autumn – particularly over the "celebrity" lectures it puts on for them.

Universities still missing state school admission targets

29 March 2012 07:25 PM

Britain's leading universities are still failing to attract enough state school pupils and students from disadvantaged homes, according to figures published today.

Chalk Talk: The green chancellor who's planning to make his voice heard

01 March 2012 12:00 AM

Jonathan Porritt is determined to put his time as Chancellor of Keele University to good use. After all, he could be some time in the post – the university has only had three Chancellors since it was granted university status in 1962.

Meeting of minds: a scene from the film 'Educating Rita'

'Today, Rita could have signed up to Open University on Facebook'

09 February 2012 12:00 AM

The Open University's famous fictional student wouldn't recognise the video-conferencing, social networking, flexible insitution it's grown into.

Ministers have been anxious to crack down on immigration and issued fewer waivers for students

Universities set to lose £5.6bn as overseas applications plummet

03 February 2012 12:00 AM

Rise in tuition fees a key factor in growing financial threat as UK becomes a 'no-go zone'

City University students attempt to set a world record for the number of people who could splash down into the Trafalgar Square fountains during their Rag Week

Bad behaviour that's all in a good cause: Students are carrying on the RAG tradition

02 February 2012 12:00 AM

Each year, students raise millions of pounds for charities by doing what students do best – having a good time.

University places to be cut by 15,000

26 January 2012 12:00 AM

The Government announced last night that university student numbers would be slashed by 15,000 this autumn.

Student sends Oxford University rejection letter for 'taking itself too seriously'

18 January 2012 03:36 PM

A student has sent her own rejection letter to a prestigious university criticising it for "intimidating" pupils from comprehensive school backgrounds during the interview process.

Chalk Talk: Students can't pay their course fees? Then let's have a whip-round

15 December 2011 12:00 AM

A sign of the times, I fear – lecturers at the Open University have been asked to dip into their pockets and help pay their students' fees. The money will go towards students opting for the OU's "Openings" courses, designed to prepare those without the necessary qualifications for a degree or further education course – whose fees are rising from £195 to £625 next September.