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This 15th-century Islamic spherical astrolabe - the only complete example of its kind to survive - is one of the most striking objects in the University of Oxford's Museum of the History of Science.

Staff dismay as consultancy recommends farming out entire IT department. Hannah Fearn reports

Strategic authorities may go with no plan in place to allocate training funds. Simon Baker reports

Technology elite cool on plans to trade chic Paris addresses for soulless suburb. Clea Caulcutt writes

The UK’s second Nobel award in two days attests to the research excellence that will be endangered if the research budget is slashed in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, scientists have warned.

By Scott Jaschik, for

Scientists must be liberated from the idea that they are “just cogs in an economic machine”, the Conservative Party conference has heard.

Degree-course fees are likely to escalate rapidly and could reach as much as five times the current sum if the existing cap is lifted, an education charity has warned.

Defining institutional mission is the cornerstone of a successful development, Matthew Reisz hears

The University of Gloucestershire has lost a tribunal case brought by a manager who claimed she was sidelined after blowing the whistle on the state of the institution’s finances.

The president of the University of Chicago has defended the notion of a wide-ranging university education that cultivates the “habit of mind to integrate ideas”, in the face of employers’ demands for “specialised knowledge”.

England could become the most expensive country in the world in which to study at a public university in light of Lord Browne of Madingley’s review of fees and funding, the main lecturers’ union has warned.

Leader has just weeks to put flesh on policy bones before Lord Browne reports. Simon Baker writes

A new shadow minister could be battling the government on higher education policy this autumn after David Lammy confirmed he was running for the shadow Cabinet.

QAA unveils proposals for statutory action plans, whatever inspectors find. Rebecca Attwood reports

ESRC director describes tough choices ahead as retrenchment looms, writes Paul Jump

Taboos are tumbling as the modern student press becomes increasingly X-rated. Kaite Welsh reports

V-cs and Royal Society leader emphasise research that touches people's lives. Paul Jump reports

Authors argue growing numbers and tight budgets will create university 'tiers'. John Morgan reports

Health advice to the overweight is often based on bad science, says dietitian. Paul Jump reports

This tin box of glass eyes mounted in aluminium, which attempts to classify a wide variety of colours into 16 categories, forms part of the Galton Collection at University College London.

An Indian student who won his Sheffield place in a TV contest has just graduated, writes Neha Popat

Jonathan Adams explains why, in his opinion, THE's are so important

Efforts to inform student 'customers' reliant on reputation, not quality. Rebecca Attwood reports

Lottery to decide fate of applications better than 'Byzantine' system, scholar says. Paul Jump writes