https://www.theguardian.com/education/higher-education Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:55:46 GMT 2026-06-12T12:55:46Z en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/12/uk-school-leavers-and-new-students-to-be-offered-meningitis-b-vaccine <p>One-off programme to begin in July after recent MenB outbreaks in Kent, Dorset and Berkshire killed three people</p><p>Teenagers in their final school year and young people starting university will be offered two doses of a vaccine to protect them against meningitis B, the government has announced.</p><p>The one-off vaccination programme, which will begin in late July, comes after an unprecedented <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/18/kent-meningitis-outbreak-has-been-contained-health-officials-believe">outbreak of meningitis B in Kent</a> earlier this year along with clusters of cases in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/17/three-meningitis-b-cases-confirmed-in-dorset-as-vaccinations-offered-to-young-people">Dorset</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/15/father-tribute-to-son-who-died-after-contracting-meningitis">Berkshire</a> that, together, led to the deaths of three young people.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/12/uk-school-leavers-and-new-students-to-be-offered-meningitis-b-vaccine">Continue reading...</a> Vaccines and immunisation Meningitis Health UK news Young people Universities Students Education Higher education Society Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:01:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/12/uk-school-leavers-and-new-students-to-be-offered-meningitis-b-vaccine Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Nicola Davis Science correspondent 2026-06-11T23:01:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/11/edna-woodhead-obituary <p>My mother, Edna Woodhead, who has died aged 91 of cancer, was an adult education teacher, and a lifelong socialist and activist: as a school governor successfully campaigning to end corporal punishment in Doncaster schools; holding hands with women around the perimeter of Greenham Common; working tirelessly for Doncaster Labour party; supporting a range of humanitarian organisations and, during the miners’ strike, standing in solidarity with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/07/women-miners-strike-1984-wives-picket-lines">Women Against Pit Closures</a>.</p><p>An only child, she was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, to Albert Partington, an accountant, and Lilly (nee Yellowley), a housewife. In 1940, to avoid the German bombing of the city, the family relocated to Workington on the edge of the Lake District. At the age of nine Edna was sent to a convent school in Berwick-upon-Tweed, where she lived in fear of the nuns; she had a traumatic memory of her golden plaits being cut off, to prevent the sin of vanity.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/11/edna-woodhead-obituary">Continue reading...</a> Education Lake District Doncaster University of Sheffield The miners’ strike 1984-85 Higher education Politics UK news Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:31:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/11/edna-woodhead-obituary Photograph: none Photograph: none Photograph: none Sally Hinchliff 2026-06-11T14:31:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/10/uk-minister-defends-changes-to-student-loans-as-pressure-grows-for-reforms <p>Lucy Rigby tells MPs heavily subsidised system gives the government the right to alter terms of existing agreements</p><p>Ministers have rejected accusations that recent changes to student loans are unfair, arguing that they are so heavily subsidised that the government has the right to alter their terms.</p><p>Pressure has been intensifying on the UK government to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/feb/25/ministers-explore-easing-burden-student-loans-university-graduates">reform the student loans system</a> but the chief secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, told MPs on Wednesday that less than half of young people go to university, and the government had to bear in mind “fairness to taxpayers as a whole”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/10/uk-minister-defends-changes-to-student-loans-as-pressure-grows-for-reforms">Continue reading...</a> Student finance Borrowing & debt Students Higher education Education Money UK news Politics Business Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:25:14 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/10/uk-minister-defends-changes-to-student-loans-as-pressure-grows-for-reforms Photograph: WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Photograph: WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Photograph: WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Rupert Jones 2026-06-10T17:25:14Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/09/northern-universities-nhs-trusts-huddersfield-manchester <p>Backed by a mix of private and public finance, Huddersfield and Manchester are among many in the academic sector helping to create jobs and growth</p><p>Huddersfield might appear an unlikely setting for a thriving health research complex. The West Yorkshire town is best known for its manufacturing heritage, but has quickly become a honey pot for private sector businesses keen to collaborate with the town’s university in a push for the latest medical breakthroughs.</p><p>Next month, the driving force behind the University of Huddersfield’s national health innovation campus, Prof Liz Towns-Andrews, expects to get the go-ahead for the third of seven <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/about/national-health-innovation/">planned</a> eco-buildings for research and tech development clustered near the town centre.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/09/northern-universities-nhs-trusts-huddersfield-manchester">Continue reading...</a> Biotechnology industry Business NHS Health Society Universities Higher education Education North of England UK news Productivity Health policy Huddersfield Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:00:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/09/northern-universities-nhs-trusts-huddersfield-manchester Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer Phillip Inman 2026-06-09T05:00:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/08/writing-is-an-exercise-in-the-art-of-persuasion-if-we-use-ai-we-lose-the-art <p>Every reader deserves to be informed about whether what they are reading is human or AI</p><p>A few weeks ago, Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, an academic in political science at Macquarie University, wrote an opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald in which she reported on excessive use of AI chatbots by students to write their essays.</p><p>In it, she raised her concern that universities are qualifying lawyers, nurses, financial advisers, engineers and teachers who do not have the essential skills required to perform their roles. If that is the case, the societal consequences are obvious.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/08/writing-is-an-exercise-in-the-art-of-persuasion-if-we-use-ai-we-lose-the-art">Continue reading...</a> AI (artificial intelligence) Australian media Australian universities Higher education Australian education Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:54:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/08/writing-is-an-exercise-in-the-art-of-persuasion-if-we-use-ai-we-lose-the-art Illustration: Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop Illustration: Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop Illustration: Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop Alan Finkel 2026-06-08T00:54:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/05/robin-hartwell-obituary <p>Robin Hartwell, who has died aged 75 of heart failure after a long illness, was a senior music lecturer at Liverpool Hope University.</p><p>I met him on our first day at Reading University in 1969, and we shared a small bedsit as we embarked on the undergraduate course in music.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/05/robin-hartwell-obituary">Continue reading...</a> Higher education Liverpool Hope University Classical music Music Universities Culture Education Fri, 05 Jun 2026 20:36:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/05/robin-hartwell-obituary Photograph: none Photograph: none Photograph: none Stephen Pratt 2026-06-05T20:36:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/04/lawsuit-student-loan-caps-trump <p>White House says caps will lower tuition costs, but critics say they will exacerbate the country’s nursing shortage</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email</a></p></li></ul><p>While the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Trump administration</a> has argued that new restrictions on the size of federal <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/student-debt-us">student loans</a> will lower tuition costs, public health officials and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/democrats">Democrats</a> say the measures will exacerbate the country’s serious nursing shortage.</p><p>As such, a group of 24 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia <a href="https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/state-of-maryland-et-al-v-united-states-of-education-linda-mcmahon-court-filing-2026.pdf">recently sued</a> the federal government seeking to block the new rule, which is set to take effect on 1 July.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/04/lawsuit-student-loan-caps-trump">Continue reading...</a> US student finance Trump administration Healthcare industry US student debt US universities Higher education Schools US politics US news Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:00:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/04/lawsuit-student-loan-caps-trump Photograph: Boy_Anupong/Getty Images Photograph: Boy_Anupong/Getty Images Photograph: Boy_Anupong/Getty Images Eric Berger 2026-06-04T12:00:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/04/birmingham-city-university-axe-black-studies-ma-kimberle-crenshaw <p>Civil rights scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw warns Birmingham City University’s decision part of extremist campaign that has ‘travelled across Atlantic’</p><p>A leading US civil rights scholar has urged Birmingham City University (BCU) to reverse its decision to close its black studies course, comparing it to the attack on diversity, equity and inclusion in the US.</p><p>Kimberlé Crenshaw, a professor of law at the University of California, Los Angeles and Columbia University, expressed “profound concern” about plans to withdraw the MA in black studies and global justice, just months after the course was launched.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/04/birmingham-city-university-axe-black-studies-ma-kimberle-crenshaw">Continue reading...</a> Higher education Birmingham City University Race Education UK news DEI policies US news Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:30:58 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/04/birmingham-city-university-axe-black-studies-ma-kimberle-crenshaw Photograph: Jasmine Clarke/The Guardian Photograph: Jasmine Clarke/The Guardian Photograph: Jasmine Clarke/The Guardian Sundus Abdi 2026-06-04T09:30:58Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2026/jun/03/whats-at-risk-when-universities-cancel-graduation-speakers <p>As graduation season takes place in the US, some speakers are being told they can no longer give their address at commencement ceremonies because of opinions they have voiced. The Guardian spoke to PEN America’s director of campus free speech, Kristen Shahverdian, who said the cancellations were sending a very troubling message</p><p></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/06/rutgers-cancel-graduation-speech-pro-palestine-post">Rutgers graduation speaker canceled for pro-Palestinian posts says decision sends ‘dangerous’ message</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2026/jun/03/whats-at-risk-when-universities-cancel-graduation-speakers">Continue reading...</a> Freedom of speech Higher education Universities US news World news Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:52:59 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2026/jun/03/whats-at-risk-when-universities-cancel-graduation-speakers Photograph: AP Photograph: AP Photograph: AP Alice Speri, Laure Boulinier and Boglarka Kosztolanyi 2026-06-03T18:52:59Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/03/lack-of-childcare-support-for-parents-in-higher-education <p><strong>Roberta Leem-Bruggen </strong>says she was working full-time hours in NHS settings but was considered a ‘non-earner’ and therefore not eligible for childcare support</p><p>Jamie Evans’ letter on childcare eligibility and the “nerd tax” (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/28/unfair-childcare-eligibility-criteria-and-the-nerd-tax">28 May</a>) strongly resonated with me because I have experienced versions of this problem throughout higher education.</p><p>In 2020, I was a single parent studying for a clinical master’s degree. I spent over 40 hours a week on compulsory NHS placements while completing academic work. During that time, I received universal credit, including the childcare element, which enabled me to continue my studies.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/03/lack-of-childcare-support-for-parents-in-higher-education">Continue reading...</a> Childcare Welfare Universal credit Higher education Parents and parenting Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:35:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/03/lack-of-childcare-support-for-parents-in-higher-education Photograph: AleksandarNakic/Getty Images Photograph: AleksandarNakic/Getty Images Photograph: AleksandarNakic/Getty Images Guardian Staff 2026-06-03T16:35:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/03/petition-tech-support-cuts-disabled-students-england-dsa <p>DfE plans to withdraw funding for assistive software, saying it is now rarely needed due to ‘widely available free tools’</p><p>Disability campaigners have called on the government to halt plans to cut funding for specialist tech support for tens of thousands of disabled students in England.</p><p>Almost 10,000 people have signed a petition opposing Department for Education (DfE) proposals to withdraw funding for specialist assistive software available as part of the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/03/petition-tech-support-cuts-disabled-students-england-dsa">Continue reading...</a> Disability Students Higher education Education Technology AI (artificial intelligence) England Young people UK news Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:12:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/03/petition-tech-support-cuts-disabled-students-england-dsa Photograph: Prasit photo/Getty Images Photograph: Prasit photo/Getty Images Photograph: Prasit photo/Getty Images Sally Weale Education correspondent 2026-06-03T14:12:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/02/debt-ridden-graduates-seen-as-cash-cows-to-fund-older-peoples-lifestyles-mps-told <p>Student groups tell inquiry about ballooning debt and ‘sneaky changes’ to loan terms while likening system to finance scandals</p><p>Graduates saddled with ballooning student loan debts feel they are being unfairly used as “cash cows” to finance measures benefiting older people such as the state pension triple lock, MPs have been told.</p><p>Student representatives told an official inquiry about the “harrowing” plight of many young people, while the man who led the 2019 government review into post-18 education criticised the “almost sneaky” changes to loan terms, and appeared to compare the situation facing graduates with the car finance and payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling scandals.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/02/debt-ridden-graduates-seen-as-cash-cows-to-fund-older-peoples-lifestyles-mps-told">Continue reading...</a> Student finance Borrowing & debt Graduate careers Education Higher education Work & careers Money Students House of Commons Politics England Wales Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:02:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/02/debt-ridden-graduates-seen-as-cash-cows-to-fund-older-peoples-lifestyles-mps-told Photograph: Chris Ison/PA Photograph: Chris Ison/PA Photograph: Chris Ison/PA Rupert Jones 2026-06-02T15:02:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/02/uk-students-and-graduates-share-your-views-on-going-to-university <p>We would like to hear from recent graduates and current students aged 18 or over about their views on studying for a degree</p><p>According to the latest British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey, the proportion of people who believe a university degree is not worth the time and money <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/02/shrinking-graduate-premium-sours-views-on-university-poll-shows">has jumped from 14% in 2005 to 34% in 2025</a>.</p><p>The survey found that younger graduates, with experience of the fee system, are more disillusioned than those who did not pay fees.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/02/uk-students-and-graduates-share-your-views-on-going-to-university">Continue reading...</a> Students Education Higher education Universities Graduate careers Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:13:09 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/02/uk-students-and-graduates-share-your-views-on-going-to-university Photograph: Andrew Fox/Alamy Photograph: Andrew Fox/Alamy Photograph: Andrew Fox/Alamy Guardian community team 2026-06-02T12:13:09Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/02/shrinking-graduate-premium-sours-views-on-university-poll-shows <p>Younger graduates, with experience of the fee system, are more disillusioned than those who did not pay fees, according to the survey</p><p>There was a time when going to university seemed a no-brainer. Better qualifications opened doors to better jobs with greater earning potential.</p><p>But with the graduate premium shrinking, mounting anger about spiralling student debt and growing fears about AI eating into the graduate jobs market, it is not surprising that attitudes are shifting.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/02/shrinking-graduate-premium-sours-views-on-university-poll-shows">Continue reading...</a> Universities Higher education Students Education UK news Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:00:39 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/02/shrinking-graduate-premium-sours-views-on-university-poll-shows Photograph: Hazy Pics/Alamy Photograph: Hazy Pics/Alamy Photograph: Hazy Pics/Alamy Sally Weale Education correspondent 2026-06-02T05:00:39Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/01/university-of-manchester-investigate-sexual-harassment-female-medical-students-anonymous-phone-calls <p>About 20 students report anonymous late-night phone calls from men who ‘intimidated, demeaned and belittled’ them</p><p>The University of Manchester has launched an investigation after about 20 female medical students complained of receiving anonymous phone calls in the middle of the night from male callers who intimidated and sexually harassed them.</p><p>The calls have been going on for at least three years, according to Charlotte Buttercase, a final-year medical student and one of those targeted.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/01/university-of-manchester-investigate-sexual-harassment-female-medical-students-anonymous-phone-calls">Continue reading...</a> University of Manchester Sexual harassment Students UK news England Manchester Higher education Education Violence against women and girls Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:08:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/01/university-of-manchester-investigate-sexual-harassment-female-medical-students-anonymous-phone-calls Photograph: Mark Waugh/Alamy Photograph: Mark Waugh/Alamy Photograph: Mark Waugh/Alamy Sally Weale Education correspondent 2026-06-01T19:08:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/01/hecs-debt-indexation-change-university-students-graduates-would-save-billions <p><strong>Exclusive:</strong> Costings commissioned by independent MP Monique Ryan show possible savings for university graduates, as Hecs debts increase by $1bn on Monday</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/jun/01/australia-news-live-one-nation-labor-poll-free-public-transport-victoria-pauline-hanson-anthony-albanese">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>University graduates would save more than $3bn over a decade if the government changed the date of indexation on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/jul/28/australian-student-debt-by-generations-chart-data-hecs-legislation">Hecs debts</a>, dubbed a “broken system” in its current form by independent MP Monique Ryan.</p><p>About 3 million students and graduates will see their Hecs debts increase by a combined $1bn on Monday, when they are indexed by 2.8%.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/01/hecs-debt-indexation-change-university-students-graduates-would-save-billions">Continue reading...</a> Australian education Australia news Australian universities Higher education Sun, 31 May 2026 15:00:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/01/hecs-debt-indexation-change-university-students-graduates-would-save-billions Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Krishani Dhanji 2026-05-31T15:00:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/28/unfair-childcare-eligibility-criteria-and-the-nerd-tax <p><strong>Jamie Evans </strong>questions the exclusion that means his family will not be able to claim £8,000 of support while his wife is a PhD student</p><p>The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, is right to order a Competition and Markets Authority review of hidden childcare charges (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/may/24/bridget-phillipson-orders-review-hidden-childcare-charges">Report, 24 May</a>). However, she would do well to also review her department’s own eligibility criteria for accessing 30 hours of funded childcare in the first place. One particularly egregious exclusion is that of PhD students, who miss out on approximately £8,000 of support that the majority of other working parents can access, despite earning only about £20,000 per year (if on a typical UK Research and Innovation-funded course).</p><p>This is the situation that will affect my wife and I from February next year, when our soon-to-be-born daughter will turn nine months old and my wife will need to return to the completion of her PhD (improving patient experiences of GP services).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/28/unfair-childcare-eligibility-criteria-and-the-nerd-tax">Continue reading...</a> Childcare Children Money Society Parents and parenting Family Bridget Phillipson Competition and Markets Authority Students Higher education Regulators Labour Politics UK news Thu, 28 May 2026 17:05:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/28/unfair-childcare-eligibility-criteria-and-the-nerd-tax Photograph: Jacek Makowicz/Alamy Photograph: Jacek Makowicz/Alamy Photograph: Jacek Makowicz/Alamy Guardian Staff 2026-05-28T17:05:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/28/feeding-the-future-of-france-rollout-of-1-meals-an-attempt-to-help-struggling-students <p>It’s a thumbs up from the country’s 3 million students, who can now buy cheap meals up to twice a day</p><p>Where in France can you get a nutritious and balanced three-course meal for €1?</p><p>If you are one of the country’s estimated 3 million students in higher education, the answer is: the university restaurant or cafe.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/28/feeding-the-future-of-france-rollout-of-1-meals-an-attempt-to-help-struggling-students">Continue reading...</a> France Europe World news Higher education Education Cost of living crisis Thu, 28 May 2026 11:00:20 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/28/feeding-the-future-of-france-rollout-of-1-meals-an-attempt-to-help-struggling-students Photograph: Ed Alcock/The Guardian Photograph: Ed Alcock/The Guardian Photograph: Ed Alcock/The Guardian Kim Willsher in Paris 2026-05-28T11:00:20Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/27/tax-on-ambition-graduates-tell-all-to-student-loans-inquiry <p>More than 52,000 people respond to Commons committee’s call for evidence amid criticism of loan terms</p><p>Thousands of graduates have told an official inquiry their horror stories and bad experiences relating to student loans, underlining what the chair of an MPs’ committee called massive levels of “frustration and upset”.</p><p>Amid an ongoing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/feb/24/why-the-student-loans-row-is-escalating-and-what-it-means-for-graduates">row over the ballooning cost of degree course debts</a>, more than 52,000 people responded to a call for evidence by the Commons Treasury select committee as part of its inquiry into student loans and the taxation of graduates.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/27/tax-on-ambition-graduates-tell-all-to-student-loans-inquiry">Continue reading...</a> Student finance Tuition fees Students Higher education Universities Higher education policy Money Education England Wales UK news Wed, 27 May 2026 16:01:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/27/tax-on-ambition-graduates-tell-all-to-student-loans-inquiry Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian Rupert Jones 2026-05-27T16:01:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/26/manchester-university-to-offer-work-placements-to-all-undergraduates <p>Russell Group university promises students, from chemical engineering to classics, ‘meaningful real-world experience’</p><p>A leading UK university is promising work placements to all undergraduates regardless of their degree, to better equip them for the challenges of the job market.</p><p>In what appears to be a first for a large Russell Group institution, the University of Manchester is planning to offer “meaningful real-world experience” to all students, in subjects from classics to chemical engineering.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/26/manchester-university-to-offer-work-placements-to-all-undergraduates">Continue reading...</a> University of Manchester Work experience Higher education Universities Students Education Business Work & careers UK news Tue, 26 May 2026 17:25:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/26/manchester-university-to-offer-work-placements-to-all-undergraduates Photograph: travelbild/Alamy Photograph: travelbild/Alamy Photograph: travelbild/Alamy Sally Weale Education correspondent 2026-05-26T17:25:54Z