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April 2007

Education

Students

Employment

This bulletin summarises developments in higher education, student issues and the graduate labour market. Among higher education developments occuring in April 2007 were funding announcements for Welsh HE, increases in higher education participation and in higher education applicant numbers. On the student front, rises in international student enrolments were revealed. This month also saw the government announce the creation of a new scheme allowing international students to remain in the UK after graduation, while the latest Civil Service Fast Stream recruitment report was also published. Progress on widening participation within the barristers’ profession was also reported, and an Indian IT firm unveiled plans to hire UK graduates.

Education

Welsh HE receives £424 million funding for 2007/08

The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) is providing £424 million in funding to the Welsh higher education sector for 2007/08, representing a 3.84% rise on the previous year. The announcement confirms funding towards meeting the full economic costs of research, an increase in funding for the Third Mission Fund, continued support in meeting costs of additional employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Fund and support for research development through the Research Investment Fund.

(Higher education to receive £424 million in next academic year, HEFCW press release, 27 March 2007.)

Increase in higher education participation

Data released by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) show that the provisional figure for the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) for 2006/06 has risen by two percentage points since 2004/05 to 43%. The data reveal that actual numbers of participants have increased by 44,000 since 1999, a rise of over 18%. The HEIPR is a National Statistic, published annually, and tracks progress on Government targets to increase participation in higher education.

(Participation rates in higher education on the up - Rammell, DfES press release, 27 March 2007.)

Higher education income rises

Total institutional income in higher education rose by 7.5% to £19.5 billion in 2005/06, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)’s Finance Record. Total expenditure in the witnessed a similar increase at 7.4%, rising from £18 billion to £19.3 billion. Grants from funding councils, contributed the largest proportion of income, while endowment and investment income saw the largest percentage increase. There was also a rise in income from ‘other’ sources, including grants from local authorities and income from intellectual property rights.

(Release of 2005/06 HESA finance data shows income for the higher education sector nears £20 billion, HESA press release, 2 April 2007.)

Merchant Navy receives award for foundation degree framework

The Merchant Navy Training Board has received an industry training award for the introduction of the Merchant Navy Foundation Degree Framework. The Merchant Navy Foundation Degree and the Scottish Professional Diploma reposition seafarer training at degree level and it is anticipated that the programme will become the main entry route to a career in the merchant navy. Companies have indicated they plan to hire a greater number of trainees than at present, while more universities and colleges will offer the course from September 2007.

(Merchant Navy Training Board wins industry training award for the Merchant Navy Foundation Degree Framework SSDA, 10 April 2007.)

HE applications continue to rise

Figures released by UCAS show a continued rise in the number of people applying to enter higher education in 2007. The figures update those released in February and take into account applications submitted to UCAS up until 24 March 2005. Between January and March, applicant numbers for England rose from 291,000 to 325,000. Applications in physics, chemistry, biology, and modern languages have also increased, as have the number of international students applying to English universities.

(University applications for entry in 2007 continue to rise - Rammell, Department for Education and Skills press release, 25 April 2007.)

Scholarships for American Indian students launched

Global consulting firm Accenture has unveiled scholarships to support American Indian students entering professional study in the US. 2007 will see seven scholarships awarded to those seeking degrees in teaching, social services, high technology or business. Three types of scholarships (Accenture Scholars, Accenture Fellows and Finalist Scholarships) are available. To qualify, candidates must be an enrolled member of a federally recognised American Indian/Alaska Native Tribe, have attained specific GPA scores and be entering a US-accredited college or university and have demonstrated character, personal merit and commitment.

(Accenture opens application process for 2007 scholarship fund for American Indian students, Accenture press release, 23 April 2007.)

Lords debate economic impact of higher education

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, spoke recently in a House of Lords debate on higher education. Baroness Warwick noted the role higher education institutions play in sharing knowledge and develop skills, and discussed the financial contribution international students make to UK higher education. She also pointed to the rapidly expanding markets of China and India and the need to expand higher education to respond to this competition, and the necessity of collaboration with further education in widening participation

(The economic impact of higher education institutions, Diana Warwick, House of Lords debate on the economic impact of higher education institutions, 19 April 2007.)

GMT Spring 2007

The latest issue of Graduate Market Trends (GMT) contains further analysis of the Student Income and Expenditure 2004/05 survey, barriers to work placements in the retail sector in the South East, and key findings from the first stage of the Futuretrack research project. Research examining the drivers of graduate retention, graduates’ experiences of the workplace and an overview of the financial benefits of a degree and the impact of variable fees are also featured.

(If you would like to sign up for the free quarterly GMT e-newsletter, please email gmt@prospects.ac.uk)

Students

Overseas students worth to East Midlands economy

Research by the BBC suggests that overseas students contribute £240 million annually to the East Midlands economy. Presently, 15,000 foreign students are undertaking studies at seven universities in the region; it is estimated that each spends at least £16,000 annually on tuition fees and living expenses. The universities of Nottingham (with 5,235 overseas students generating £84 million), Leicester (5,328 students and £85 million) and Loughborough (2,277 students and £36 million) are the most successful of the region’s universities in attracting international students.

(Foreign students contribute £240m, BBC Nottinghamshire, 29 March 2007.)

More disabled and ethnic minority students at university

Data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show a rise in the proportion of students declaring a disability. 137,945 students declared themselves as having a disability in 2005/06, compared with 128,185 in 2004/05. The number of black students studying full time for taught higher degrees, meanwhile, rose by around a quarter, while at undergraduate level, there was an 11.6% rise in the number of black students registered for full-time degrees.

(HESA Students in Higher Education Institutions 2005/06 reveals HE participation widens as disabled access improves, HESA press release, 17 April 2007.)

Singapore PhD students to study at Cambridge

The University of Cambridge will receive up to five PhD students annually from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The students, whose research will concentrate on biomedical science and engineering, are being funded by A*STAR’s scholarship programme and will study for two years in Singapore before undertaking at least two years in Cambridge. The funding will cover tuition fees and living costs and, over a five-year period, could equate to an investment of around £1.2 million.

(Singapore research students heading to Cambridge, University of Cambridge press release, 25 April 2007.)

Rise in Indian student numbers revealed

Statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show a rise in the number of students from India studying at UK institutions. Indian student numbers rose by 15.1% in 2005/06, greater than the previous year’s increase of 14.1%, and making India second only to China in terms of student numbers. The total number of Indian domiciled students was over 19,000, equivalent to 5.8% of non-UK domiciled students. There was a 3.7% in the total number of students from countries outside the UK.

(India now number 2 provider of overseas students to UK, HESA press release, 26 March 2007.)

Research shows rise in international student enrolments

A study by Universities UK, the body representing university vice-chancellors, shows an increase in international student enrolments at UK institutions. 70% of 58 institutions surveyed reported an overall rise in international student enrolments, while 64% reported an increase from EU students. The rises were attributed to an increase or improvement in marketing and recruitment activity, EU accession, tailoring provision and development of strategic partnerships. The largest increases in student numbers were Poland, Pakistan, Nigeria, Germany and India.

(Universities UK survey shows growth in international student enrolments, UUK press release, 26 March 2007.)

Fresh Talent programme extended

Overseas postgraduate students will be offered the opportunity to stay in Scotland for up to two years after completion of their courses. The Home Office has extended the Fresh Talent scheme, which has attracted over 4,000 overseas undergraduates since 2005, to include postgraduate diplomas and certificates, meaning that international students aiming to complete an undergraduate degree, HND, Masters, PhD and now a post-graduate diploma or certificate can apply to stay and work in Scotland for two years following graduation.

(Fresh Talent extended, Scottish Executive press release, 28 March 2007.)

Employment

Work scheme for international graduates announced

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has unveiled a new scheme allowing international students to remain in the UK upon completion of their studies. International students who have obtained a bachelors degree or higher-level qualification in any class and in any subject from a UK institution will be able to apply for a permit granting them to stay in the UK for one year to seek work. The programme replaces the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme and will be introduced on 1 May 2007.

(New international graduates scheme - Rammell, DfES press release, 28 March 2007.)

Indian firm to target UK graduates

An Indian outsourcing firm is set to start hiring graduates from the UK. Wipro, a software specialist, says that it is hiring UK graduates in order to better understand the requirements of its British clients. It is expected that graduates will be recruited during the 2007 milkround and will spend some time in India as part of their training. Wipro hires 20,000 Indian graduates annually and employs 1,800 people in the UK.

(Indian firm 'eyeing UK graduates', BBC Business, 1 April 2007.)

Entry to the Bar Working Party Interim Report

The document provides a synopsis of progress on activities aimed at widening participation of the barristers’ profession. Two problems (social and economic) are identified as discouraging students from lower social backgrounds training for the Bar. Recommendations made include providing better career information at school and university levels, placement programmes, and encouraging employers to offer employed pupillages. Issues for further consideration, including the possibility of limiting Bar Vocational Course (BVC) numbers and extension of part-time and online provision of BVC, are also discussed.

(Entry to the Bar Working Party Interim Report, Entry to the Bar Working Party, 5 April 2007.)

Civil Service Fast Stream Recruitment report 2006

The report summarises results of the 2006 graduate recruitment schemes for the Civil Service Fast Stream. It describes a rise in the general number of applications being made to the scheme and notes increases in the proportions of women and ethnic minority candidates being recommended for appointment. Candidates registering a disability and being recommended for appointment also rose. Candidates recommended for appointment came from around 100 UK universities and from various academic backgrounds. There was a slight increase in the proportion of successful applicants from Oxbridge universities.

(Summary of 2006 Fast Stream Recruitment Report, Cabinet Office, 29 March 2007.)

Law Society publishes latest Trends in the Solicitors’ Profession

The study describes key trends in the year to July 2006 and discusses training and recruitment in particular. It notes a fall in the numbers of legal practice course (LPC) students eligible sit examination in July 2006 and a decrease in the LPC pass rate compared with 2005. There was a slight increase in trainee registrations lodged with the Law Society and there will be an increase in the number of full-time and part-time LPC places available in 2006/07. Trainee starting salaries are also discussed, with the highest in the Central London and the lowest in Wales.

(Trends in the solicitors' profession - Annual statistical report 2006, Law Society, January 2007.)

Maximising employment opportunities for healthcare professionals

The document makes various suggestions as to what employers, higher education institutions (HEIs) and strategic health authorities (SHAs) can do to maximise employment opportunities for healthcare graduates. It recommends that employers and SHAs work together to indicate the expected number of new qualifiers that will need to be employed, calls for HEIs to provide destination data on healthcare and social care graduates, and advises that careers advisors should offer support to qualifying healthcare professionals. NHS Careers should also provide targeted information to newly qualified professionals

(Maximising employment opportunities for newly qualified healthcare professionals in a changing NHS, Department of Health, 16 April 2007. The report can be downloaded from the NHS Employers website).

City law firms announce pay rises for associate solicitors

A number of City law firms have announced increases in the salaries paid to their associate solicitors. Linklaters has enhanced its one-year-qualified salary by 14% to £69,000, two-year-qualified pay by 15% to £81,000 and three-year-qualified pay by 16% to £89,000. Clifford Chance, meanwhile, has announced that newly qualified solicitors will earn £63,500 (an increase of £8,500), while associates with one year’s post qualification experience will take home £66,000. Allen & Overy, Lovells, and Herbert Smith are also reviewing their salary levels.

(Linklaters edges ahead of A&O and CC with 16% salary boost, Legal Week, 19 April 2007.)