Higher

Universities Guide: Top of the class, again

Oxford University's position at the top of the league table for 2009 sees the ancient university pushing its competitor, Cambridge, into second place and regaining the pole position that it occupied for five consecutive years before that.

Inside Higher

Stark message in the sky: Funding dries up for British astronomers

Thursday, 8 May 2008

Even after 50 years, the view of the huge Lovell radio telescope dominating the Cheshire Plain is still one of the most futuristic sights in Britain. It speaks of many things: of the unexplored far reaches of space and time; of Big Bangs and black holes; of stars and galaxies; and of so many things far beyond us. Its founder, Sir Bernard Lovell, who at the age of 94 still works there three days a week, described the telescope as being "at the centre of immensities".

Leading Article: Pay the lecturers

Thursday, 8 May 2008

The news that the University and College Union has rejected the 2.5 per cent offer made to further education college lecturers by their employers – coupled with the threat of further strike action along the lines of that pursued in conjunction with teachers last month – is regrettable.

Why physics beats drama when it comes to winning a place at university

Thursday, 1 May 2008

In recent weeks sixth-formers who are told by the Government that an A-level in one subject is just as good as an A-level in any other have been receiving some bad news through the post. Star pupils predicted to get three or more A-grades have found themselves rejected by leading universities, not on their lack of qualifications but because of their subject choices.

Roger Brown: Do we need to have world-class universities?

Thursday, 1 May 2008

There is much talk about the need to establish "world class" universities. Some believe that the Government has a covert plan to create them by further concentrating public funding for research in traditional universities, while allowing them to charge what they like by raising the cap on tuition fees. All this, they say, will allow our universities to compete with the American institutions that dominate the international league tables. But what exactly is a "world class" university, and what advantages do they bring to the countries in which they are located and, indeed, the wider international community?

Against The Grain: 'Technology alone won't solve climate change'

Thursday, 1 May 2008

Dr Kate Rawles is a senior lecturer in outdoor studies at the University of Cumbria. She argues that it is dangerous to presume that the threat of climate change can be alleviated by advances in technology alone.

Education Letters: Bard reactions

Thursday, 1 May 2008

Brandon Robshaw's groan of despair is surely only defensible if Shakespeare is taught as an academic subject, and the teacher fails to respond to the drama of the plays ("Why it's time to give the Bard the heave-ho!", 24 April, EDUCATION & CAREERS). The man was an actor, for heaven's sake – and the plays should be taught up on the feet not lumpenly over a desk. Everything makes more sense if you're standing up and speaking the stuff.

The digital age is booming – and so are courses in new media at universities

Thursday, 1 May 2008

The way that we approach and receive traditional media – news, television, music, advertising – has changed beyond recognition over the last quarter of a century. And universities are spearheading the charge to educate the new media techies of tomorrow.

Regional ranking: Change of the guard in Scotland

Thursday, 24 April 2008

This year's set of regional league tables reveals a host of surprises, with some universities celebrating unlikely victories over their local rivals and others left ruing their fall down the rankings.

New universities: Another year of the great divide

Thursday, 24 April 2008

The post-1992 crop of universities once more failed to break into the top 50 and the binary divide that has separated them from the old universities remains intact. Only Nottingham Trent and the University of Hertfordshire managed to cross the traditional line, beating Bangor, which was the lowest placed old university.

Starting salaries: What the future holds

Thursday, 24 April 2008

With so many decisions facing prospective university students it is no wonder the thought of a job slips under their radar. Fresher's week is imminent and funding their degree is more pressing than future career concerns.

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