Sunday Times 2013 University League Table Top 20

Sunday Times League Table 2013 This is just the Top 20 rather than the full table (which is now available (paid access) on the Sunday Times website). There are some big changes with Heriot Watt and Birmingham Universities both enjoying big leaps. (Note that this is the table published in 2012. The 2014 table, published …

Unistats and KIS – just too much information?

Unistats - now with added KIS - has launched The all new Unistats site has launched: Unistats is the official site that allows you to search for and compare data and information on university and college courses from across the UK. The site draws together comparable information on those areas that students have identified as …

The Imperfect University: Graduation – a bit London 2012?

Graduations: A bit like the Olympics but then some Graduation is one of the most significant events in the university calendar. It is a slightly bizarre and rather ritualistic event. Everyone (well, nearly everyone) dresses up, in gowns and/or posh frocks or newly acquired suits. I have attended two of my own and over 150 …

Shall we dance? Collaborations, Alliances, Mergers

Or Snog, marry, avoid? More universities are working more closely together In one of its latest circulars (2012-21) HEFCE has published some new guidance on collaborations, alliances and mergers. It's interesting stuff and timely given the context: The pace of change in the HE sector is probably accelerating in many countries due to a number of …

How can we help? Supporting new academic hires

Berkeley offers an extensive service for new academics Support for newly recruited academic staff tends to be fairly limited in UK universities. And even less is offered to other groups of staff. Although you might get an invitation to some kind of induction event and a half-decent lunch if you are lucky. Inside Higher Edreports …

Yet another ranking

This time it's an alumni ranking The Chronicle of Higher Education reports on this new player in the US college rankings: If you had it to do all over again, would you choose to attend your alma mater? Do you think the education you received there was a good value? How much money do you …

Go compare – Which advice to take?

Which? University adds to the university information mix Last week saw the launch of the new Which? university comparison website. Trailed in the White Paper n June 2011 it offers yet more information to prospective students in what is already a very crowded landscape. The Which? University website enables comparisons of courses by students by …

True Crime on Campus §23: the ultimate discovery

More true crime on campus: Our Security staff discover the strangest things happening on campus. Fortunately, they are generally unflappable and respond pragmatically to every challenge. Even when presented with the ultimate answer: 16:34 Security received a report from a member of staff that a person unknown was looking at the lead on the roof …

2012/13 QS World University Rankings

Latest QS world league table is out A preview of the 2012/13 QS World University Rankings from John O'Leary, makes clear the impact that the league tables have. Not just on institutions but also on governments: The rankings, which will be published on September 11, are intended primarily to guide international students, their parents and advisors in …

Marketing inflation

Increasing marketing spend in universities - real or hype? Inside Higher Ed features a report on a recent conference on marketing in higher education which featured some bold predictions about the money UK universities will be spending in the brave new market place. Discussion focused on whether we would see levels of spending of up …

New Branch Campuses in China

Some new Branch Campuses on the way The University of Nottingham admitted its first students in China back in 2004, establishing the first Sino-Foreign University in China and then opening its campus, pictured above, in Ningbo in 2006. There are now over 5,500 students following University of Nottingham degrees at the University of Nottingham Ningbo …

Helicopter parent? There’s an app for that

Helpful support for students or an expensive way to interfere? Inside Higher Ed reports on a new app which updates parents on their student's progress. But is it a helpful addition to student support or just a license for interfering parents? It's not cheap either: When families sign up for the program and pay the …

Not Guilty, Your Honour: students and cheating

Honour codes and cheating Two fascinating stories recently about students cheating and responses to it. All universities face the issue of how to educate students on the importance of honesty and integrity in academic study and avoiding plagiarism and other forms of cheating. Many US institutions have what is called an Honour Code to which …