Policy Update

Monday

International Students

A surge in international students wishing to study in London has caused campus extensions and building projects worth a total of £4bn. Overseas student surge drives expansion at London universities (FT).

Tuition Fees

The SNP will support Labour’s bid to reduce tuition fees in England. SNP to back Labour on English tuition fees (Scotsman).

Student Votes

New polls suggest that both the two main parties are tied with 31% of student support ahead of next month’s general election. The Greens were the next most popular party, with 25%. Labour and Conservatives neck and neck among student voters (FT).

Tuesday

The Student Vote

A poll of 13,000 undergraduates finds “Green surge” amongst student population at the expense of the Liberal Democrats. Student poll: campus vote swings from yellow to Green (Times Higher Education).

Post-Study Work Visas

Francois Hollande and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi agree to introduce a new two-year post-study work visa for Indian students studying in France. France introduces two-year PSW permit for Indian graduates (The PIE News).

Fossil Fuel Divestment

More than 200 members of staff at UCL and Soas sign a letter to their university boards following languorous negotiations of divestment from fossil fuels. UCL and Soas staff tell their universities to divest from fossil fuels (The Guardian).

Wednesday

Election 2015

Columnist Danny Finkelstein suggests that DPM Nick Clegg will pay a high price for his broken promise on tuition fees. The comment piece suggests Mr Clegg did it because he concluded that his policy had been wrong and the new policy was better. Opinion: Politics will be poorer if Clegg is kicked out(The Times).

Thursday

Part-time students

The fall in part-time students in the UK means lost opportunities for individuals and the economy, the new head of the Open University Peter Horrocks warns. He is calling for part-time higher education to be made a much higher priority. Warning on loss of part-time students (BBC News Online).

Friday

Student reviews

New rankings published by WhatUni reveal the top universities in the country based on reviews from 20,000 students. Bournemouth are ranked 66th out of 113. The full list can be found here.

Immigration/post degree visas

Leading figures from the world of arts and fashion have warned in a letter to the Guardian that those most likely to contribute to Britain’s arts sector are penalised by the current immigration rules, which make it difficult for those who rely on freelance or unstructured work to qualify for visas. Graduate immigration curbs strip Britain of talent, says arts figures (The Guardian).

I’d also like to highlight that BU Politics Society are holding a question time debate with candidates from parties across Bournemouth and Poole on Monday the 27th April, 7.30-9.00pm. For more information and to register for the event, please click here.