Chris Havergal
@chrishavergal.bsky.social
Editor, @timeshighered.bsky.social
More than 1,000 staff will be affected as Cardiff University undertakes a “massive” restructuring of its professional services team www.timeshighereducation.com/news/cardiff... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
Cardiff restructures professional services, impacting 1,000 staff
University proposes to merge existing administrative functions into central hub but unions fear move will add to ‘enormous pressures’
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
More than 1,000 staff will be affected as Cardiff University undertakes a “massive” restructuring of its professional services team www.timeshighereducation.com/news/cardiff... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
John Blake to leave OfS as Labour signals new approach to access www.timeshighereducation.com/news/john-bl... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
John Blake to leave OfS as Labour signals new approach to access
Former teacher steps down after one term, having overseen revamp in widening participation efforts
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
John Blake to leave OfS as Labour signals new approach to access www.timeshighereducation.com/news/john-bl... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Havergal
From a @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social member: "it is wrong to frame this as saying staff will have options, when all options correspond to a significant reduction from the status-quo, and the status-quo corresponds to decades long losses in academic pay. This endangers the future of the UK academia."
Northumbria University attempts to move employees to cheaper pension scheme to bring down sky-high contribution rates
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/northumbria-freeze-staff-pay-if-they-refuse-switch-pensions
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/northumbria-freeze-staff-pay-if-they-refuse-switch-pensions
November 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM
From a @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social member: "it is wrong to frame this as saying staff will have options, when all options correspond to a significant reduction from the status-quo, and the status-quo corresponds to decades long losses in academic pay. This endangers the future of the UK academia."
Northumbria University to offer staff one-off payment of £5.8K-£10K if they switch from expensive TPS pension to USS - those who do not switch face a pay freeze www.timeshighereducation.com/news/northum... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Northumbria to freeze pay if staff refuse TPS-USS pension switch
University says moving employees from more expensive scheme will save it up to £11 million a year
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Northumbria University to offer staff one-off payment of £5.8K-£10K if they switch from expensive TPS pension to USS - those who do not switch face a pay freeze www.timeshighereducation.com/news/northum... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Nottingham to suspend music and modern foreign language degrees, warning international fee levy will wipe out income from domestic fee rise. Some nursing, theology, education, microbiology and agriculture degrees hit too www.timeshighereducation.com/news/notting... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Nottingham suspends music, language and nursing courses
University says financial uncertainties continue as government’s proposed student levy will ‘wipe out any benefits’ from rising tuition fees
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Nottingham to suspend music and modern foreign language degrees, warning international fee levy will wipe out income from domestic fee rise. Some nursing, theology, education, microbiology and agriculture degrees hit too www.timeshighereducation.com/news/notting... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Universities warned against “inherently inflationary practices” such as using multiple algorithms to determine a module’s mark and discounting lowest scores, as St Mary's and UWL found to have breached grade inflation rules www.timeshighereducation.com/news/inheren... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
‘Inherently inflationary’ algorithms risk degree credibility – OfS
Two London universities deemed to have breached new rules on safeguarding qualifications as regulator sounds alarm over how degree classifications are calculated
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Universities warned against “inherently inflationary practices” such as using multiple algorithms to determine a module’s mark and discounting lowest scores, as St Mary's and UWL found to have breached grade inflation rules www.timeshighereducation.com/news/inheren... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
Some excellent Renaissance history and @warburginstitute.bsky.social chat in this interview!
Right, 'Evelyn's daughter' went on a big American late night show and talked about the Warburg and Renaissance research.
So early modern studies are saved, right? RIGHT? We've got impact now and are cool again?
(It *is* the most incredible place in the world.)
So early modern studies are saved, right? RIGHT? We've got impact now and are cool again?
(It *is* the most incredible place in the world.)
Florence Welch Was Visited by Psychic Cats While Writing Everybody Scream
YouTube video by Late Night with Seth Meyers
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Some excellent Renaissance history and @warburginstitute.bsky.social chat in this interview!
Canadian budget cuts international student cap by more than half www.timeshighereducation.com/news/canadia... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Canadian budget cuts international student cap by more than half
New target for study permits down to 150,000-a-year as Carney’s government shows little sign of reducing pressure on overseas enrolments
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Canadian budget cuts international student cap by more than half www.timeshighereducation.com/news/canadia... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Will The Last King court settlement finally lay Leicester's Richard III saga to rest? @julietterowsell.bsky.social investigates www.timeshighereducation.com/news/will-co...
Will court settlement finally lay Richard III saga to rest?
Former Leicester administrator who sued Steve Coogan says ‘we need more trust in expertise’ after actor backs inquiry into university’s actions during ‘tumultuous period’
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Will The Last King court settlement finally lay Leicester's Richard III saga to rest? @julietterowsell.bsky.social investigates www.timeshighereducation.com/news/will-co...
Labour is to scrap the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) after concerns that the narrow list of recommended subject choices in schools is not helping pupils increase their chances of attending top universities www.timeshighereducation.com/news/narrow-... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
‘Narrow’ EBacc to be scrapped after university access concerns
Focus on traditional subjects at GCSE level has not helped pupils get into top universities, says Becky Francis’ report on school curriculum
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Labour is to scrap the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) after concerns that the narrow list of recommended subject choices in schools is not helping pupils increase their chances of attending top universities www.timeshighereducation.com/news/narrow-... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
The British Library’s chief executive has resigned with immediate effect mid-way through strike action www.timeshighereducation.com/news/british... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
British Library chief executive quits amid strike action over pay
National library chief Rebecca Lawrence will be replaced by interim head Jeremy Silver with immediate effect
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The British Library’s chief executive has resigned with immediate effect mid-way through strike action www.timeshighereducation.com/news/british... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
More universities are vying to become the first to launch branch campuses in Saudi Arabia, but experts have warned that they face tight regulation and risks to their reputations, writes @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/will-br...
Will branch campuses in Saudi Arabia finally get off the ground?
Fresh set of universities attempt to launch in oil-rich country as it seeks diversification but experts warn tight control by government remains a barrier
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:33 AM
More universities are vying to become the first to launch branch campuses in Saudi Arabia, but experts have warned that they face tight regulation and risks to their reputations, writes @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/will-br...
Is the Teaching Excellence Framework a solution that has finally found a problem? Long read on @timeshighered.bsky.social from @julietterowsell.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/tef-so...
Is the TEF a solution that has finally found a problem?
The Teaching Excellence Framework’s reliance on existing outcomes and satisfaction data, as proxies for teaching quality, has always invited criticism. But with the OfS now proposing to use it to asse...
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Is the Teaching Excellence Framework a solution that has finally found a problem? Long read on @timeshighered.bsky.social from @julietterowsell.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/tef-so...
Welsh government commits to increasing its cap on university tuition fees to keep it in line with English equivalent www.timeshighereducation.com/news/tuition... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
Tuition fees to rise in Wales for next two academic years
Welsh government follows England in increasing its fee cap due to financial pressures faced by institutions
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Welsh government commits to increasing its cap on university tuition fees to keep it in line with English equivalent www.timeshighereducation.com/news/tuition... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
British nationals living abroad have called on UK universities to introduce a new tuition fee tier to put an end to the requirement that they pay international student prices www.timeshighereducation.com/news/stop-ch... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Stop charging overseas Brits international fees, say expats
Calls for change as ‘inconsistent’ system leaves some forced to choose between their preferred university and saving money
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:31 PM
British nationals living abroad have called on UK universities to introduce a new tuition fee tier to put an end to the requirement that they pay international student prices www.timeshighereducation.com/news/stop-ch... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to @lauratmurphy.bsky.social, whose research into alleged human rights abuses was blocked from publication after political pressure from Chinese security services www.timeshighereducation.com/news/sheffie... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
Sheffield Hallam apologises to China scholar over publication ban
Curtailment of Laura Murphy’s research into alleged forced labour practices in China raises further questions over foreign government interference on UK campuses
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to @lauratmurphy.bsky.social, whose research into alleged human rights abuses was blocked from publication after political pressure from Chinese security services www.timeshighereducation.com/news/sheffie... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
With the international student fee levy now likely to go ahead, vice-chancellors are focused on delaying or reducing it - and in the Russell Group, pushing for a flat fee rather than a %, writes @helenpacker.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/delay-r...
‘Delay, reduce or ring-fence?’ What’s plan B on student fee levy?
Proposal to take cut of international earnings now seen as inevitable after ministers tied idea to reintroduction of maintenance grants
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:32 AM
With the international student fee levy now likely to go ahead, vice-chancellors are focused on delaying or reducing it - and in the Russell Group, pushing for a flat fee rather than a %, writes @helenpacker.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/delay-r...
Higher education gender gap worsening in nearly half of world’s countries www.timeshighereducation.com/news/he-gend... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
HE gender gap worsening in nearly half of world’s countries
Inequality between male and female participation rates prevails in most parts of the globe, with 88 countries in worse situation compared with a decade ago
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Higher education gender gap worsening in nearly half of world’s countries www.timeshighereducation.com/news/he-gend... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Havergal
Covid, inflation and immigration crackdowns in the anglophone ‘big four’ have fuelled speculation that Asian students will switch to cheaper and friendlier options closer to home. But will Asian students really turn away from the West? Tash Mosheim and Paul Jump report
https://ow.ly/te1v50XhqOi
https://ow.ly/te1v50XhqOi
October 27, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Covid, inflation and immigration crackdowns in the anglophone ‘big four’ have fuelled speculation that Asian students will switch to cheaper and friendlier options closer to home. But will Asian students really turn away from the West? Tash Mosheim and Paul Jump report
https://ow.ly/te1v50XhqOi
https://ow.ly/te1v50XhqOi
Some UK universities stop accepting applications from students in Afghanistan while others impose tighter restrictions amid growing concerns Home Office will revoke licences for institutions engaged in “risky” recruitment www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-univ... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
UK universities block Afghan students as visa rules tighten
More institutions pause recruitment from countries seen as high risk in response to increased scrutiny by the Home Office
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Some UK universities stop accepting applications from students in Afghanistan while others impose tighter restrictions amid growing concerns Home Office will revoke licences for institutions engaged in “risky” recruitment www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-univ... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Reforming external examining and introducing progression measure risk standardising university curricula and treating them like schools, warn @paulashwin.bsky.social @davehitchcock.bsky.social @profstevenjones.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/risk-st... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Risk of ‘standardisation’ as ministers mull progression measures
Universities would look to ‘game’ new metric for testing learning gain, critics warn, with external examination defended as ‘best we’ve got’
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Reforming external examining and introducing progression measure risk standardising university curricula and treating them like schools, warn @paulashwin.bsky.social @davehitchcock.bsky.social @profstevenjones.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/risk-st... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Students who threaten or intimidate university staff should be expelled, the UK government’s antisemitism adviser says, after masked protesters allegedly threatened to behead economics professor during lecture www.timeshighereducation.com/news/expel-s... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social
Expel students who threaten academics on campus, says John Mann
Government's antisemitism adviser condemns masked protesters who disrupted lecture being given by Israeli economics professor
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Students who threaten or intimidate university staff should be expelled, the UK government’s antisemitism adviser says, after masked protesters allegedly threatened to behead economics professor during lecture www.timeshighereducation.com/news/expel-s... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social
Introducing break points in degree programmes will help drive lifelong learning, but success will require rethink of graduate outcome measures and increased recognition of lower-level stand-alone qualifications, advocates tell @helenpacker.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/degree-...
Degree break points require ‘major reconfiguration’ of courses
Splitting up degree programmes into smaller parts could aid lifelong learning but students risk being seen as dropouts under current system
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Introducing break points in degree programmes will help drive lifelong learning, but success will require rethink of graduate outcome measures and increased recognition of lower-level stand-alone qualifications, advocates tell @helenpacker.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/degree-...
From DfE to PwC and now LSBU: new vice-chancellor Paul Kett sees himself as “a poacher, a gamekeeper and a rabbit” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/paul-ke... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Paul Kett: collaborative model works ‘in spite of the system’
New vice-chancellor at London South Bank discusses FE-HE integration, universities’ reputation problem and what he learnt from years at top of Civil Service
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:59 PM
From DfE to PwC and now LSBU: new vice-chancellor Paul Kett sees himself as “a poacher, a gamekeeper and a rabbit” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/paul-ke... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
University of Derby has reports itself to Information Commissioner’s Office after letters sent to staff accidentally revealed they were vulnerable to redundancy www.timeshighereducation.com/news/derby-l... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Derby letters accidentally reveal staff at risk of redundancy
University reports itself to watchdog after employees receive letters with the words ‘redundancy process’ clearly visible through an envelope
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
University of Derby has reports itself to Information Commissioner’s Office after letters sent to staff accidentally revealed they were vulnerable to redundancy www.timeshighereducation.com/news/derby-l... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social