Stephen Court

University top-up fees were a very awkward electoral issue for the Labour government in the 2005 general election. So it is not surprising that in the present election campaign, fees have been kept at bay. The issue of whether full-time undergraduates should have to pay to go to university is still live – but not quite kicking, since the current review of fees, under Lord Browne, will not report until after the May election. Read more...

Some commentators are presenting a doomsday scenario for higher education. Thirty institutions may not survive, suggests one. Recently announced cuts will bring the sector to its knees in six months, says another. Read more...

Three days before Christmas is a pretty good time to have a bad news day on funding. With most people either at office parties or out doing some final gift shopping, few will hear the sound of belts being firmly tightened. Read more...

Does university freedom matter? Universities in the UK have, in theory, freedom – or more precisely, autonomy – from political interference to decide which students to enrol, what to teach, what degrees to award, and what to research. Closely linked is the concept of academic freedom – the freedom under law for academics to question and test received wisdom, to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions. Read more...