Harvard University has announced a 50-year expansion plan in bid to consolidate its position as one of the world’s leading higher education institutions. The multi-billion dollar initiative will include new academic buildings, student housing and art museums. During the first 20 years of the expansion, Harvard would build 4 million to 5 million square feet of buildings and create at least 5,000 jobs. The university’s Provost, Steve Hyman, said that the expansion was not expected to increase its student numbers.

(Reuters, 12 January, Link to story)

UK HE news

Prosperity for all in the global economy – world-class skills (Leitch Review)

The study documents the economic need for highly skilled individuals. It calls for increased investment in higher education, and for the proportion of people with higher-level qualifications to exceed 40% by 2020. Higher education investment in the UK is internationally average but behind the USA and South Korea. The report argues for increased employer involvement in higher level qualifications, and for significantly more workplace training. Improving engagement between employers and universities and increasing co-funded workplace degrees are discussed. (Link to report)

Atlas of ideas: How Asian innovation can benefit us all

The report warns that the UK could fall behind Asia in research and innovation. It recommends greater collaboration with China, India and Korea, and calls for the creation of a £100 million research fund that could be used to develop collaborative programmes. Additionally, the UK needs to attract more Asian talent, while sending more of its own scientific talent to Asia. The report notes how scholarships and exchanges can strengthen partnerships and argues that universities are pivotal in facilitating the transfer of innovation. (Demos, 17 January. Link to report

Vocational A-levels and university entry: Is there a parity of esteem?

The study is a comparative evaluation of academic qualifications and vocational alternatives for university entry. It considers the characteristics of students taking each qualification and attitudes of students towards higher education are also documented, especially whether or not different proportions of students taking these courses intend to apply to university. The report attempts to ascertain if academic or vocational students are under-represented in higher education, assessing whether progression rates can be explained by different abilities of students taking each type of qualification.

(Higher Education Policy Institute, 18 January. Link to report)

Student enrolments and qualifications 2005/06

Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show a 2% rise in the total number of enrolments at UK higher education institutions between 2004/05 and 2005/06. Rises were also recorded for full-time and part-time enrolments, while first-year full-time enrolments were up by 4%. Enrolments of UK-domiciled, European Union and overseas students all increased over the period. Between 2004/05 and 2005/06, first-degree graduate numbers rose from 306,365 to 315,985; 198,280 students obtained postgraduate qualifications in 2005/06.

(HESA press release, 9 January, Link to story)

Universities get £1m to boost business links

Scottish universities have received over £1 million to strengthen links with businesses. The Scottish Executive has awarded Edinburgh University £474,964 to help with product development for companies working in the environmental sector. Napier University and Queen Margaret University College are collaborating on another initiative, which has received £555,065 in funding. This will create an internal commercialisation faculty, which will give local businesses better access to expertise in technology and services offered by each institution.

(The Scotsman, 27 November, Link to story)

University news

Kent offers scholarships to Romanian students

The University of Kent is offering scholarships to students from Romania. In conjunction with the Raitu Foundation, an organisation that helps Romanian graduates and young professionals acquire professional skills in the UK, the university has developed a package that includes tuition fees and a £3,000 Raitu Foundation Scholarship for two students: one for the MSc in Information Security and Biometrics and the other for the MSc in Biomedical Imaging. The scholarships are available for courses starting in the autumn. (The Guardian, 11 January)

Graduates get off to a flying start

The first cohort of students taking Newcastle University’s business accounting and finance degree graduated recently. The course, named Flying Start, combines the expertise of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Newcastle University Business School and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The degree is the first of its kind and brings together academic study with paid work experience and an accelerated route to qualification as a chartered accountant. Virtually all of the graduates have started their careers with PwC.

(Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales press release, 12 December. Link to story)

Queen Margaret awarded uni status

Queen Margaret University College has been granted full university status. The institution, which originally taught domestic science to young women, has awarded degrees, including those in nursing, drama and social sciences, for nearly a decade. The award came after student numbers reached the 4,000 mark. The elevation of the institution to university level now brings the number of universities in Edinburgh to four.

(BBC Education, 17 January, Link to story)

Students

UNITE calls for wider access on financial guidance as university costs increase

The UNITE Group’s latest Student Experience Report calls for financial advice to be made more widely available to students. The study, which examines issues affecting the student population, notes that the estimated total cost of attending university is around £13,000. Furthermore, the average student debt has risen to £5,760 and parental contributions have also increased. The majority of the students surveyed, however, felt that a university education continued to be a worthwhile investment. Over 1,600 students from 20 universities were interviewed.

(UNITE Group press release, 15 January. Link to story)

Students face increased rent bill

Research from the National Union of Students (NUS) suggests that rent bills for students have risen by 23%. The study of 96 universities and 61 private landlords discovered that weekly rents averaged £82. London was the most expensive place to live and Wales was the cheapest. The average deposit for university accommodation was £182, a rise of 21% compared with the 2003/04 survey. The research noted that 55% of university accommodation for 2006/07 would be provided by private providers.

(BBC Education, 4 December. Link to story)

IFS launches student finance challenge 2007

The Institute of Financial Services (IFS) has launched a new financial competition for university students. The IFS Uni Investor Challenge aims to educate students about finance, the stock market, savings and investments. Participants have a fantasy £100,000 to invest over a three-month period (1 February – 30 April) and the highest-performing portfolio holders will then have to write an essay detailing and justifying the decisions they made. The successful student will win a cash prize of £9,000. Furthermore, there is a postgraduate league, with a top prize of £3,000 and monthly prizes throughout the challenge.

(IFS press release, 1 January, Link to story)

Accenture Scholarships to help college students

Global consulting firm Accenture is offering scholarships to junior and community college students seeking four-year degree courses in high technology and business. The scholarships are part of the firm’s commitment to widening participation in US higher education and to develop a competitive US workforce. Up to 20 scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded in 2007. Scholarship America, the largest non-profit private-sector scholarship and educational support organisation in the US, will administer the scholarship fund. Recipients may be eligible for summer internships at the firm.

(Accenture press release, 10 January. Link to story )

Graduate recruitment

Deloitte announces initiative to recruit 50 Chinese graduates

Professional services firm Deloitte is launching a recruitment scheme that will hire up to 50 graduates from Chinese universities every year. Graduates will receive support to gain internationally recognised qualifications and will have the opportunity to return to China to work on client assignments. On successful completion of their studies, the recruits will be offered the chance to work at Deloitte’s Chinese operations.

(Deloitte press release, 12 December. Link to story)

Vos QC to institute loan for Bar access

Geoffrey Vos QC, chair of the Bar Council, has called for an overhaul of the funding schemes available to trainee barristers. Mr Vos calls for the introduction of a loan scheme that would support university students and those undertaking the Bar Vocational Course, which would make access to the Bar ‘a level playing field’ while maintaining standards of the profession. He highlights what he sees as the ‘insuperable’ problems faced by students from poorer backgrounds trying to qualify for the Bar.

(The Lawyer, 8 January.Link to story)

Businesses missing out on huge pool of graduate talent

Research from the Association of Graduate Recruiters suggests that businesses are missing out on a huge pool of graduate talent and must take steps to view the different routes graduates take to enter the labour market. 53% of students surveyed believed that graduate training schemes were only open to them immediately after graduation. Yet, graduates who were not on structured training schemes had assumed responsibilities such as training others or managing a business function. Over 10,000 students and graduates and almost 400 organisations were surveyed.

(AGR press release, 6 December. Link to story)

Diversity in the legal professions – Working Group Report

The paper examines entry routes, qualification options and recruitment practices. Various barriers people face when pursuing a career in law are identified. It recommends that law firms and barristers’ chambers should publish details of universities from which they recruit, and calls for encouraging firms and chambers to publish their equality and diversity policies. The study advocates a review of diversity initiatives and their success, and how work-based learning and other skills and experience can be part of the recruitment process.

(Department for Constitutional Affairs, 4 December. Link to report)

Graduate labour market

What Do Graduates Do? 2007

The study analyses the career destinations of graduates from 2004/05. 61.2% of the 2005 cohort were in UK employment within six months after graduation. 8.8% were working and studying and 1.7% were in overseas employment. London was the most popular location for new graduates starting work. The average starting salary for first-degree leavers entering full-time employment was £17,697, graduates who studied clinical medicine, pre-clinical medicine, and clinical dentistry reported the highest average salaries. The research is based on a sample of 206,965 students. (Link to report)

Report sets new objectives for trainee teachers

A study by educational watchdog Ofsted suggests that the graduate teacher programme succeeds in recruiting quality candidates. The overall quality of teaching by graduate trainees was deemed to be better in 2005-06 than in the previous two years. Classroom-based work experience, and management of the programme, had improved considerably over the three years covered in the report. Trainees, however, were perceived to be less skilled in applying their subject knowledge to teaching, and assessment and evaluation.

(The Guardian, 19 January)

Three college leaves for every graduate vacancy

Research from High Fliers suggests that salaries and vacancies with leading graduate employers will rise in 2007. Average graduate starting salaries are anticipated to hit £25,000 and over 80% of the 100 employers surveyed expected to hire more graduates than last year. Accountancy and professional, investment banking, the Armed Forces and the public sector plan to recruit the largest number of graduates. Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Army, KPMG and Ernst & Young are expected to be the largest graduate recruiters in 2007.

(The Times, 12 January. Link to story)

Graduates in the workplace - Does a degree add value?

This report examines graduates’ reflection on the value of their education, attitudes to work, and impact of student debt on their career plans. Happiness, career development, challenging work, training and development were important factors for graduates in a job. One-third said they would choose a different course, such as scientific/technical degrees, business-based courses or professional qualifications. Those graduating in 2005 earned a mean starting salary of £19,451, 8% more than the graduates who started work in 2000. 876 graduates were surveyed.

(Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, December 2006, Link to report)

FSSC receive approval for new Foundation Degree framework

A new Foundation Degree Framework for the development and delivery of appropriate financial services foundation degrees has received approval for use in England., The framework has been developed by the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) and has involved large employers such as Abbey, Marsh and Norwich Union, in addition to smaller, independent firms such as Assured Future. Presently, there is one sector-related foundation degree in operation, offered by City College Norwich and validated by the University of East Anglia.

(Sector Skills Development Agency press release, 3 January. Link to story)

Work experience

Work experience ‘boosts earnings’

Research commissioned by the Learning and Skills Council suggests that young people with relevant work experience can potentially earn £1,050 more than those lacking experience. Nine in ten of the employers surveyed deemed work experience to be important for CVs, and around half said that, in the future, candidates without work experience will struggle to find a job. Around a third offered paid work placements and 45% provided unpaid work experience. Over 400 employers in Britain were surveyed. (BBC Education, 20 December. Link to story)

Careers Service Public Interest vacation work bursaries

Cambridge University Careers Service has launched a bursary scheme aimed at assisting the university’s students wishing to gain work experience in the ‘public interest’ sector. Ten £500 bursaries are on offer, and are being funded by 120 organisations who regularly recruit Cambridge graduates. The bursaries are on offer for the summer vacation of 2007 and can be used to help fund travel, living and other daily expenses for students wishing to undertake at least three weeks’ work in either the UK or abroad. (Cambridge University press release, 30 November. Link to story)

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December 06/January 07

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