European Union university ranking plan: the sector holds its breath

Latest news on the most eagerly awaited league table A post just over a year ago noted the development of a new EU ranking method. Now University World News carries a piece about the European Union defying criticism of its university ranking plan. Speaking at a rankings event in April Jordi Curell, director of lifelong …

True Crime on Campus §19: a bit “wonky”

More true crime on campus It's business as usual for our ever-vigilant and attentive Security Team: 1445 Report of a suspicious package outside the DLRC Security attended. The package belonged to a Student who was playing a prank on a friend of his. Security Officers have given the Student some advice. 2105 Report of a …

2013 Complete University Guide League Table

Yes, it's the first league table of the season The Complete University Guide and league table is now out. The details can be found on the Guide websitetogether with lots of other analysis (including by subject, region and mission group)  and information on careers, fees etc. The main table uses nine indicators: Student Satisfaction, Research …

David Willetts on internationalisation via sharing university statutes

An interesting idea? At the recent HEFCE Annual Conference the Universities Minister, David Willetts, delivered a wide-ranging speech which included a couple of interesting points on internationalisation: Since becoming universities minister, I have worked hard with UUK's excellent international office and of course the British Council in forging partnerships with other countries: with China, India, …

The Imperfect University: Do we need a level playing field?

On the issue of a "level playing field" for universities For the next, slightly briefer, piece in the Imperfect University series, I thought it might be interesting to pick on a topical issue which nevertheless has wider relevance and also serves to highlight some of the imperfections inherent in higher education. Following the White Paper, Putting …

Killing the myths in higher education

Misunderstandings and myths An interesting new pamphlet has just been published by HEPI. Misunderstanding Modern Higher Education: Eight "category mistakes" is a brief and snappy read and is available from the HEPI website: In this HEPI occasional report, Professor Sir David Watson discusses eight myths - category mistakes - concerning higher education that are widely …

HESA Performance Indicators: More interesting than you’d think

HESA Performance Indicators: Summary tables and charts HESA, the Higher Education Statistics Agency, has recently published its annual set of UK Higher Education Performance Indicators. See the HESA site for summary tables and charts. One particular piece of data seems to have attracted attention - Non-continuation rates of full-time entrants after first year at institution. …

A Key University Ranking

It's the University Challenge top 10 University Ranking Watch has published a distinctive table: the universities which have won the most University Challenge series. Leaving aside the detail that Oxford and Cambridge enjoy the special privilege of multiple entries, via the Colleges, it's an interesting list: 1. Oxford      39 points 2. Cambridge      21 3. Manchester      …

Pride & Prejudices: Problems with National & International League Tables

Presentation from AUA Conference 2012 Thank you to all who attended this session on 3 April 2012 As promised, here is the presentation:     As mentioned at the presentation, this will be the last time I deliver this session at AUA conference. I've done it too many times but the main reason is that …

The Times, Sunday Times, Guardian and Complete University Guide League Tables 2011-12

The four most recent UK University League Tables Given that searches for UK university league tables are among the most frequent reasons for visitors to the blog, it seemed that another summary might come in useful. Four major league tables were published during 2011 for those considering 2012 entry and all have previously been summarised …