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September 2007

Education

Student issues

Employment

This bulletin summarises reports and surveys, press releases and newspaper articles under the following headings: education; student issues; and employment. In education, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development published its latest education survey, and research into university admissions, student experiences, trends in higher education, and the value of education to the UK economy were published. The National Student Survey was published this month, while in employment, an initiative aimed at improving attitudes to IT careers and education was unveiled, and the Scottish Government announced a university entrepreneurship programme.

Education

Education at a Glance 2007

The study shows a continued strong educational performance in the UK. It reveals that the UK produced an above-average output in higher education, particularly in science, although tertiary qualifications are growing less rapidly. The paper also notes that the labour-market benefits for those with tertiary-level qualifications continue to be high in the UK, with only the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and the USA having higher earnings advantages for graduates. The report also shows the UK to be a popular destination for international students.

(Education at a Glance 2007, OECD, September 2007.)

University admissions by individual schools

The study documents the extent to which a number of selective schools dominate admissions to the UK’s leading research universities. It suggests that differences in the admissions rates to elite universities cannot be attributed solely to schools’ average A-level results. The report raises two issues for educational policy: what can be done to help talented children from all backgrounds have the same opportunities to develop academically, and how to enable other schools to improve pupils’ prospects of going to leading research universities.

(University admissions by individual schools, Sutton Trust, September 07.)

First College of law degrees awarded

The College of Law has awarded its first degrees since being granted degree-awarding powers by the Privy Council last September. The college awarded degrees to 599 students who passed both the Graduate Diploma in law and either a Bar Vocational Course or Legal Practice Course. 86 of those graduating achieved first-class honours.

(College of Law issues first degrees to students, Legal Week, 6 September 2007.)

The Academic experience of students in English universities

This study concentrates on various aspects of the amount of teaching and private study undertaken by students. It reveals that, in 2007, students at English universities typically receive around 14 hours’ tuition per week, although this varies by subject. The report notes that, on average, students’ workloads total around 25.5-26 hours, concluding that English students put in significantly fewer hours than their European counterparts. It also discusses students’ involvement in non-academic activities, such as clubs and societies, and reviews the impact of the variable fee regime.

(The Academic experience of students in English universities, Higher Education Policy Institute, September 07.)

Global value The value of UK education and training exports

The report reveals that, in 2003/04, the total value of education exports was worth £27,771.5 million to the UK economy. Income derived from educational materials and equipment, higher education (including international students), further education, English language teaching, examination and professional bodies, the private sector and educational consultancy is discussed. A standard method for reporting student numbers, a methodology for collection of data from international FE students, and further research into transnational education in FE are among the recommendations.

(Global value – The value of UK education and training exports, Dr Pamela Lenton, September 07. The full report is available from the British Council).

Oxford number 1 in Times University Guide

This year’s Times Good University Guide shows that Oxford remains the number one institution for the sixth consecutive year. Cambridge, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and St Andrews occupy the remaining places in top five. St Andrews also overtook Edinburgh to become the top Scottish university. King’s College London, Exeter, and City University all showed substantial rises, compared with last year. Oxford Brookes broke into the top 50 at number 49.

(Cambridge closes gap on Oxford in varsity league, The Times, 16 August 07.)

Welsh unis become independent

The universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor and Swansea have become independent from the University of Wales. The changes are part of a modernisation of the university system in Wales and it is felt that the changes could aid the universities’ opportunity to develop and ability to attract new students. The University of Wales will cease to be a federal institution, although it plans to continue accrediting and validating degrees, while continuing to play a role in research.

(Three universities go independent, BBC Wales, 1 September 2007. )

Denham urges universities to work with business

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, has called on universities to work with business to encourage mature students into higher education. Speaking at the Universities UK conference, Mr Denham called on university leaders to ensure courses were based around the needs of mature students, and said that demographic changes mean that universities were serving a public coming increasingly from the workforce rather than school. He encouraged universities to work with business to ensure they provided education that met workforce needs.

(Denham: Universities must work with business to encourage mature students into higher education, DIUS press release, 13 September 2007.)

Patterns of higher education institutions in the UK

The report focuses on trends in UK higher education, patterns of institutional diversity, and strategic subjects. It shows fluctuations in enrolments for selected strategic subjects, rather than clear trends. High levels of enrolments among international (non-EU) students are seen particularly in engineering and technology, agriculture and some aspects of biological sciences. Between 1996/97 to 2005/06, enrolments increased by 33%. In the same period, non-EU international enrolments have more than doubled, and China remains the most significant provider of students to UK institutions across all levels of study.

(Patterns of higher education institutions in the UK - Seventh report, B Ramsden, September 2007.)

New postgraduate application system for Oxford

Oxford University has unveiled a new online application system for those wishing to pursue postgraduate studies at the university. Applicants for courses starting in October 2008 will be able to submit their application electronically and upload electronic copies of supporting materials, such as CVs. They can also register the email details of their referees. Applicants can save a part-completed form, sign in again and complete remaining sections at a later stage.

(Online application for graduate courses at Oxford launched, Oxford University press release, 12 September 2007.)

New route to science degrees

The University of Sheffield is collaborating with the Open University (OU) to offer students a new route to science degrees. Under the new ‘2+2’ scheme, which aims to attract more students into science, students can gain a chemistry or physics degree by studying for two years part time with the OU, followed by two years’ full-time study at the University of Sheffield. Sheffield is one of six institutions working with the OU in the provision of this alternative study route.

(Sheffield offers new route to science degrees, University of Sheffield press release, 10 September 07.)

Legal Practice Course changes to go ahead

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has approved plans to split the Legal Practice Course (LPC) into two separate components. The plans will lead to the compulsory courses being separated from electives, allowing students to embark on their training contracts six months earlier than present after completing the first stage of the LPC, although students would have to complete both stages before qualifying as solicitors. Course providers will be able to offer the new-look LPC from 2009.

(LPC revolution gets green light, The Lawyer, 12 September 07.)

Student issues

National Student Survey 2007

The third annual National Student Survey shows that 81% of students at universities and colleges in England were satisfied with their university or college experience. High satisfaction levels were noted for teaching, assessment and feedback, academic support, organisation and management, learning resources and personal development. Data will be available on a new website, Unistats.com, which will allow users to view feedback from 177,000 students on the quality of their education experience, compare UCAS points and view the achievements of recent graduates. The survey covers students in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and eight Scottish universities.

(Higher education survey reveals continued student satisfaction, HEFCE press release, 12 September 2007.)

Oxford student union launches Freshers website

Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) has launched a website aimed at helping freshers settle in to university life. The website, oxfordfreshers.org, provides guidance to new undergraduates and postgraduates on areas such as finances, study skills, choosing options, coping with reading lists, and tips managing workload. The website also provides information about Freshers’ Week and other events. OUSU set up a group on Facebook over a month ago, and proved to be a popular resource for current and prospective students.

(OUSU launches a new website for Oxford Freshers, Oxford University press release, 10 September 2007.)

Cambridge to increase bursary support

Cambridge University is widening the bursary support provided to students beginning studies in 2008. The university will raise the income thresholds allowing students to claim bursaries, while the full bursary for each qualifying student will be worth £3,150 per annum and £5,250 for mature students. By 2011/20012, total bursary spend is expected to increase to £7million per annum, by which time it is anticipated that a third of Cambridge students will be in receipt of some form of bursary support.

(Cambridge to increase bursary support, Cambridge University press release, 10 September 2007.)

Employment

IT degree initiative launched

e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms, has unveiled a new initiative aimed at transforming young people’s attitudes towards IT-related education and careers. The Revitalise IT venture, supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, brings together employers, universities and schools to help prepare the UK’s future IT professionals. The initiative is based on two themes: AmbITion, which focuses on stimulating demand among young people for technology-related degrees and careers, and Catalyst, which focuses on developing and promoting degree curricula.

(New major initiative to revitalise interest in IT-related degrees and careers, Public Technology, 25 September 07.)

University Entrepreneurship Programme unveiled

A programme aimed at capturing and driving entrepreneurialism in Scottish higher education has been launched. The universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Strathclyde will participate in the Scottish Programme for Entrepreneurship, funded jointly by the Scottish Government and Hunter Foundation. The initiative costs £2.65 million over the next three years, and will support entrepreneurial education in colleges and in teacher training, run a coordinated programme of research, recruit leading scholars, and develop entrepreneurship education, including developing a master’s degree in entrepreneurship.

(University Entrepreneurship Programme, Scottish Government press release, 4 September 2007.)

Graduates want training and development opportunities

Research from Ernst & Young reveals that 44% of graduates see training and development as the most important factor when job-hunting, ahead of salary and benefits (18%), work-life balance, business reputation, people and culture, and ethical/environmental reputation (3%). In a separate survey from the Association of Graduate Recruiters, 90% of graduate recruiters surveyed felt they needed to address the issue of work-life balance in order to engage successfully with graduates. Recruiters surveyed also regarded social networking, blogs or podcasts as important tools in reaching graduates.

(What graduates want, Ri5, 30 August 2007.)

Medical students to gain experience in Malawi

Medical students at the University of Dundee are to begin work placements in Africa as part of their degree courses. From July 2008, fifth-year students will have the opportunity to join a four-month scheme, working in frontline medicine in Malawi. In addition to working on their own ward, students will also be able to conduct research and work on mini projects with international health organisations and at local outreach clinics.

(Medical students head for Malawi, BBC Scotland, 11 September 2007.)

e-financialcareers.com unveils latest student challenge

Global financial careers website eFinancialCareers.com has announced the second of its series of Investment Challenges, sponsored by Schroders. The challenge, which is open to penultimate-year students only, begins on 1 October, and involves participants having to turn a profit on their £10million fantasy fund. The winner will receive £1,000 and an interview for Schroders’ graduate programme, whilst the remaining top 20 students will have the opportunity to present a one-page summary of their trading strategy, with the best five being invited to interview.

(Trade your way to a graduate interview, Online Recruitment, 19 September 07.)