
Higher Education



May to challenge over-priced tuition fees
The prime minister will say tuition fees in England are one of the most expensive in the world
IN AN ATTEMPT to woo younger voters, Prime Minister Theresa May will announce an independent review of tuition fees and student finance in England after admitting changes in 2010 have created one of "the most expensive systems of university tuition in the world".
Speaking on ITV's breakfast show This Morning, May trailed announcements on a review on which she will give more detail this afternoon in a speech in Derby.

SNP youth wing urges party to do more for student mental health
Young SNP campaigners say student counselling funding review is needed
SNP YOUTH: Young Scots for Independence, the youth wing of the SNP, has called for a review of funding for student counselling in further and higher education.
With a new programme for government upcoming, SNP Youth has said it is time for the Scottish Government to commit to an increase in funding for counselling for students and reduce long waiting lists.

STUC Youth concerned about hard Brexit impact on higher education
The Educational Institute of Scotland union (EIS) moved a motion at the STUC Youth Conference amid concern about the impact on higher education as a result of a “hard” Brexit
THE STUC Youth Conference has raised serious concerns for the future of young people’s opportunities in higher education if a “hard” Brexit is delivered.

London rent strike victory as activists secure over £2 million in accommodation changes
Five month rent strike victory means cost cut and higher bursaries for London students
THE FIGHTBACK AGAINST sky-high rents at a major London university has won a multi-million pound set of concessions from management organisations through organising a rent strike.
‘UCL Cut the Rent’, at University College London, have coordinated two years of protests against the rapid escalation of rent costs in campus managed accommodation. Campaigners said the high costs were pushing young people into ever increasing debts and limiting access to higher education.

Commission: Poorer students should be accepted to Scots universities on lower grades
Government organised report sets target for 20 per cent of students to come from most deprived backgrounds
A COMMISSION set up by the Scottish Government has found that Scottish universities should widen access to higher education by lowering the threshold of grades needed by poorer university applicants.

Sexual harassment on campus to be tackled in new Strathclyde project
Pilot at University of Strathcylde gets boost of PS300,000 government funding
SEXUAL HARASSMENT and assault on university campuses are to be tackled by a new initiative being developed by a team at the University of Strathclyde.
The pilot project will develop a tool-kit for higher education institutions and is one of several education institutions to receive Scottish Government funding.
One in four female students had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour while at university.

Students and staff celebrate passing of Higher Education Governance Bill
Bill will support election of university management leaders
REFORMS to improve the democratic governance of Scotland's leading universities and colleges have been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Higher Education Governance Bill seeks to improve participation in decision making through expanding elected posts.
The result, passed by 92 votes to 17, has been welcomed by student and staff campaign organisations.

Universities seek FOI exemption on grounds of 'competitive advantage'
Publicly-funded institutions argue that costs of handing over information are too high
THE BODY representing Scotland's universities has called for exemption from the Freedom of Information (FoI) laws in a submission to the UK Government's consultation, it has been revealed.