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US is the costliest of 10 countries surveyed, with Australia and UK close behind. John Morgan writes

Fears are growing that new visa rules could expose UK universities to a sharp downturn in demand from Indian students next year, after one university reported a large drop in numbers.

Elite deals pursued in defiance of national parity will reap 'pain', union warns. John Morgan reports

US academic's bespoke model of Sir Steve Smith is 'a lot thinner', subject observes. John Gill reports

Scholars fight to halt effort to streamline sector and make it more accountable. Jack Grove reports

No urge to merge with Liverpool, insists Lancaster's v-c, but union sounds warning. John Morgan reports

Institutional self-interest could hit infrastructure as central funds shrink. David Matthews reports

Report advises transformation of management systems, faculty and curricula. Jack Grove writes

Universities' arrangements to uphold academic standards are "robust and effective", the Quality Assurance Agency has said.

Pakistan poses challenging problems for academics beyond politics and religion, writes John Morgan

Hesa data show worst performers on access will be best placed to benefit, writes John Morgan

The new vice-chancellor at a university emerging from financial woes has asked for a "warts and all" account from staff about their experiences and vision for the future.

A 2 per cent drop in undergraduates is expected in the first year of higher fees. Simon Baker reports

Academics warn of threat to economy as extent of EPSRC cuts is revealed

Higher education is the worst at protecting against fraud of all publicly funded sectors, with the annual cost potentially exceeding £1 billion, a new report suggests.

Sweeping reforms to copyright law are set to open the door for greater access to research papers.

The sector’s biggest pension fund gave its chief executive a £50,000 bonus in a year when lecturers went on strike over cuts to their benefits, it has emerged.

The principal of the University of the West of Scotland has been appointed as the new convener of Universities Scotland.

By Scott Jaschik, for

Some universities are considering ways to “buy” top achieving students, it has been claimed, as they prepare for the new competitive market in 2012.

Fifty-five academics have been awarded fellowships worth £10,000 by the Higher Education Academy.

The higher education participation gap between the most deprived parts of Scotland and the rest of the country has shrunk for the fifth year in a row.

The UK needs an independent regulator to oversee research integrity, a committee of MPs has concluded.

A union has warned of “massive” job loses in Northern Ireland’s universities unless politicians work out how to avoid a 30 per cent cut in the devolved administration’s higher education budget.

Board member resigns over the matter and dozens sign a petition in protest. Simon Baker reports

Education scholars must showcase work or face obscurity, says Bera head. Matthew Reisz writes

A Malaysian university's mission offers a way out of poverty for thousands. David Matthews reports

Teaching diarists wrap up the year and look ahead to a break, if not a rest. Sarah Cunnane reports

The Science and Technology Facilities Council has agreed to reassess its membership to make sure the views of academics are adequately represented.

Visa changes and academic-year shifts may help boost overseas interest. Michael Fitzpatrick reports

Elite offers outstripping UK-wide deal could be tied to 'productivity', union warns. John Morgan reports

BPP University College plans to double its student-to-staff ratio as it expands across the country.

Sin language and Lehman's terms deployed in this year's crop of exam howlers. Sarah Cunnane writes

MSc student rejects 'inadequate' offer and prepares to seek further compensation. Paul Jump reports

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is hoping that a formal consultation on the constitution of its subject-specific advisory panels will help to defuse tensions with academics.

Mature students looking to re-skill will lose out in focus on first-timers. Simon Baker reports

Investment in innovation viewed as Europe's route to sustainable growth and jobs. Jack Grove reports

The Northern Ireland Executive has been urged by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service and the Student Loans Company (SLC) to clarify its position on tuition fees for 2012-13 as a matter of urgency.

These are among the more unusual items held by the John Hay Library at Brown University on Rhode Island.

Plymouth advised to tighten up procedures before ending correspondence courses. Jack Grove writes

David Willetts has set out a three-point “to do” list for the coming months, making it a priority to convince academics in the arts and humanities “how much we love them”.

The University of Abertay Dundee has reconfirmed the controversial retirement of its suspended principal Bernard King, and said that all legal claims between the two parties have been withdrawn.

A vote by the University of Cambridge’s governing “parliament” over whether to back a motion of no confidence in universities minister David Willetts has ended in a dead heat.

The government is making “optimistic” assumptions about the effect of its student visa policy and must do more to base its plans on evidence, a group of MPs has warned.

By Scott Jaschik, for

Two Welsh universities are to launch a £2 million venture capital fund to invest in local businesses and commercialise research.

The “huge risks” that are being taken with the future of the higher education sector have been highlighted in a critical review by the president of the British Academy.

The proportion of the population without any educational qualifications is as high as one in three in some parliamentary constituencies, an analysis has shown.

Educationalist calls for a 'genuine' revival of Classics teaching, reports Matthew Reisz

University may not always be the best option for those from poorer backgrounds. Jack Grove reports