All-years National Student Survey ‘huge burden’ on universities Statistical limitations of results likely to be exacerbated by widening of questionnaire beyond final-year undergraduates, warns researcher By Chris Havergal 21 October
English regulator will poll students to measure value for money OfS plan comes as v-c warns government focus on graduate earnings value will ‘downgrade’ excellent universities beyond London By John Morgan 21 October
The research impact agenda can refresh scholarship The impact agenda is often portrayed a diversion from the real activity of research, but it can also provoke new lines of enquiry, says Alix Green By Alix Green 20 October
University of London agrees to end outsourcing of staff After long-running protests, security staff and cleaners to be brought in-house, following similar move for other workers By Anna McKie 18 October
Regulator ‘must address’ USS whistleblower sacking concerns MP calls for urgent investigation into dismissal of Jane Hutton as potential strike action nears By Anna McKie 18 October
Free higher education ruling throws French fees into doubt Constitutional Council decision could strike a blow against expansion plan for international students and grandes écoles’ fees policy By David Matthews 18 October
Academics need greater help in addressing the mental health problems of their students Increasing numbers of students are seeking counselling, suffering from depression and even feeling suicidal. Jason Murugesu urges universities to put much stronger systems in place to provide essential backup for teaching staff By Jason Murugesu 17 October
European Union seeks to crack open big tech’s data for academics Social scientists argue a lack of access stops them and the public understanding online phenomena – but hope pressure from Brussels could change this By David Matthews 17 October
Jump in EU academics leaving UK after Brexit referendum Previously unseen data emerge as survey reveals universities’ anxiety over recruitment and retention By Simon Baker 17 October
UCL to divest from fossil fuels and switch to meat-free catering London university also plans ban on single-use plastic and creation of new green spaces By Anna McKie 17 October
Brexit uncertainty ‘costing UK research ?370?million a?year’ ‘Potential paralysis of a no-deal Brexit and the current state of chaos are hurting UK science’, says Royal Society president Sir Venki Ramakrishnan By Jack Grove 16 October
Recruitment freezes at third of UK universities Ucea report suggests more direct methods of reining in staff spending are being used amid financial pressure By Simon Baker 16 October