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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 23h

Erm....well, this is awkward.... CU has been raising the alarm about subsidiarisation for over a decade. When will we take this as a serious threat to HE, trade unions , and HE institutions which claim to be "charitable organisations"?? www.timeshighereducation.com/news/de-mont... #ucu #HE #THES

timeshighereducation.com

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 30/09/2026

Nottingham today. Everywhere tomorrow. 2,700 staff put at risk. 600+ jobs targeted. At least 48 courses facing closure. What happens here sets the template for the sector. Stand with Nottingham.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Why everyone working in a UK HE institution should be very worried about "the Coventry Way".. It started here... www.notesfrombelow.org/article/univ... #HigherEducation #UCU #CoventryUniversity

notesfrombelow.org

University Worker Reports: September 2026

by The University Worker // Reports from branches

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Coventry University Group opens its second campus in Kazakhstan Meanwhile in Coventry: redundancies, restructures and research centre closures. Expanding into a country with serious restrictions on independent trade unions while weakening union rights at home? Now that’s a global strategy.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The Sunday Times praises Coventry for expanding its research centres & staff delivering REF 2021 success. Awkward. Since then? Research restructures, redundancies, centres merged and closed. Nothing says “building on research excellence” quite like dismantling the infrastructure that produced it.

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 18/09/2026

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class institution and our members are determined to protect it. With an estimated 1,800 jobs at risk, staff are ready to strike for 25 days to defend jobs and the future of the university. Management can end this dispute: rule out compulsory redundancies.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

When does a university stop being a university? When fewer than 200 staff remain in the University while thousands of others are moved to subsidiaries? And when should a university stop being treated as a charity? Sorry. You're right. Nothing to see here.. #UCU #CharityCommission #OfficeForStudents

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Coventry University drops from 70th to 96th in The Guardian University League table. The VC has investigated and identified the culprits: The data. The methodology. The subjects. The sector. The external environment. Good news, everyone: management has been completely exonerated by management.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Full solidarity with Brighton UCU. UCU National: “We will not let our members’ rights be trampled on.” Good to know. You know CU UCU, have spent almost a year fighting actual derecognition of UCU here. We raised the flag on this months ago. We are the canaries in the coalmine. So, when do we start?

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 14/09/2026

UCU members at Brighton University face the threat of derecognition. We have called an emergency rally tomorrow at 1:15pm. It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance. 58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Another “achievement” for the collection. Hot on the heels of our VC nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award, CU drops 26 places in the Guardian University Guide. But don’t worry. We’re sure another restructure will fix it. theguardian.com/education/ng-i…

theguardian.com

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 11/09/2026

Every worker facing redundancy at the University of Birmingham is from a migrant or minority ethnic background. UCU members will meet on 17 September to decide whether to ballot for strike action. No compulsory redundancies. Release the equality impact assessment. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1463...

ucu.org.uk

University of Birmingham staff to consider strike ballot over redundancies that fall entirely on minority ethnic staff

Staff at the University of Birmingham will meet next week to consider potential strike action in a battle against redundancies, the University and College Union (UCU) said today (11 September).

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Another "achievement" for Coventry University: noted as an example of subsidiarisation meaning they're no longer required to provide gender pay gap figures across most of its entities. #ucu

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Nothing says “VC Lifetime Achievement” quite like a record deficit, falling student numbers, mass redundancies and thousands of staff transferred into subsidiaries. Take a bow.

Satirical graphic showing a university leader in ceremonial robes holding up a “Lifetime Achievement Award” trophy outside Coventry University. Signs point to debt, falling student numbers, redundancies, subsidiarisation and insecure jobs. Papers below highlight a record-breaking deficit, declining student numbers, hundreds of redundancies, 2,788 staff transferred to subsidiaries in three years, and weaker employment rights. The headline asks “A Lifetime of Achievement? Really?” and the image concludes: “Achievement for whom?”

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Exeter UCU @exeterucu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.

photo of Nicole Kidman looking incredibly joyful and free after her divorce from Tom Cruise was finalised

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Dear University Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award? For CU’s VC? The university with the huge deficit, collapsing student numbers, hundreds of redundancies and 2,788 staff transferred to subsidiaries over 3 years? That Coventry? Right. Interesting award criteria you have there. Best, The staff

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

CU's VC celebrates his nomination for the University Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award, despite his “dynamic, future-focused” transformation involving 2,788 staff moved to subsidiaries, hundreds of redundancies & stripping of national agreements and collective bargaining. Quite an achievement #UCU

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Yet another league table Coventry can add to its list of achievements....

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Omar Khan @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

One concern that arises from reduced university income: there is less income for bursaries and support for lower income students, potentially making widening participation less effective In a context with an already very wide gap btw free school meal and non-FSM students attending HE

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Look at this graph. The share of national income going to the richest 10 percent was lowest (and share to lower 90 percent highest) when union membership was at its highest. As unions have weakened, inequality has widened. This is why we must build back union power.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

How Not to Run a University 1: Put all your eggs in the international recruitment basket. 2: Lose £74 MILLION in international student revenue: the biggest drop in HE. 3: Make staff pay for the blunder with cuts and subsidiarisation 4: Contact CU's VC for further instruction.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

£74 MILLION! Sunday Times reports Cov uni lost more international student revenue between 2023–25 than any other university. Brexit & visa changes affected the whole sector. So why was Coventry hit so catastrophically? Staff are paying the price: redundancies & subsidiarisation. Strategy failure!

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Keep going HWUCU! Solidarity from Cov UCU ✊

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 04/08/2026

Spending a reported £4.5m on new land while threatening to cut up to 100 jobs? Make it make sense. Glasgow Caledonian staff are on strike today to defend jobs. Show your support to colleagues! www.ucu.org.uk/article/1459...

ucu.org.uk

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Owen Davies @odavies9.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

As thousands of research academics are made redundant the whole system of free/cheap peer review will collapse.

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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

So it's farewell to the History subject area at the University of Hertfordshire, not the first nor the last to go. One of the best departments in the country, just extinguished like a snap of the fingers. Think of the waste. (1/2)

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Many more people in universities will lose their jobs if nothing changes in the way HE is (under) funded. Even more prospective students will not be able to go to university, especially here in the Norheast. @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social @markfergusonmp.bsky.social @chionwurah.bsky.social

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

'There has been a 12 percentage point leap in the number of UK universities reporting cutbacks to research, according to a survey carried out this year by Universities UK.' Being a global research power when you're reducing research by 12% in a year may prove a wee bit of a challenge.

researchprofessionalnews.com

Proportion of universities cutting research increases - Research Professional News

Universities UK survey shows worsening picture but more optimism about future backing for research

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elia ayoub @ayoub.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Jesus. 35 UK universities quietly- without debate - joined the Ministry of Defence’s “Battlefield Alliance” which seeks to “reorientate academia towards Defence and National Security” They’re destroying the social sciences and humanities while militarising the institutions

• Durham University
• Newcastle University
• Northumbria University
• Lancaster University
• University of Cumbria
• University of Lancashire
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• University of Huddersfield
• University of Sheffield
• University of York
• Loughborough University
• University of Lincoln
• University of Nottingham
• Aston University
• University of Birmingham
• University of Warwick
• King's College London
• Kingston University
• Queen Mary University of London
• University College London
• University of Oxford
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Surrey
• University of Bath
• University of Bristol
• University of Exeter
• University of Plymouth
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• University of Strathclyde
• Cardiff University
• Swansea University
• Queens University Belfast
• Cranfield University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 July 2026
UK Universities Betray Public Trust by Joining MoD's 'Battlefield Advantage' Alliance
Without Debate
A coalition of campaign groups has accused UK universities of quietly integrating themselves into Britain's defence infrastructure after 35 institutions signed up to the Ministry of Defence's Defence Universities Alliance (DUA).
The Ministry of Defence says the alliance aims to "reorientate academia towards Defence and National Security", strengthen links between universities and the defence sector, and translate research into "battlefield advantage".
Campaigners say the move represents a significant shift in the role of higher education and has taken place without meaningful public debate.
Among the founding members are the University of Oxford, University College London, King's College London, the University of Manchester, the University of Edinburgh, Cardiff University and Queen's University Belfast.
"We are witnessing the formal incorporation of Britain's universities into the defence ecosystem," said Jinsella Kennaway, Founder and Executive Director of Demilitarise Education.
"The Ministry of Defence is explicit about its intentions. Universities exist to advance knowledge and foster critical inquiry, not to become pipelines for military research and defence recruitment.
Students and staff deserve to know who agreed to this and why."
Campaigners are calling on all 35 universities to publish the governance documents and board minutes relating to their decision to join the alliance, and to explain whether staff and students were consulted.
Many UK universities already maintain relationships with major defence companies, including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo, Thales, Lockheed Martin and QinetiQ. Critics argue that the DUA formalises and accelerates the integration of academia, industry and the state.
The coalition warns that, at a time of rising defence spending, universities risk becoming increasingly aligned with governme…

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Coventry University uses TUPE to move staff into subsidiaries, strip them out of UCU national agreements, and refuse to recognise UCU for collective bargaining. TUPE exists to protect workers, not sidestep unions. If it's happening here, it can happen anywhere.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Awkward timing… 👀 Staff moved out of Coventry University. TPS REMOVED Trust damaged. Years of expertise GONE. Now TPS employer contributions are going DOWN. Turns out keeping staff in the University may have been the smarter choice. Was it worth it? #ValueYourStaff #HigherEd

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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

We are calling for - a forensic audit of the the finances of the University of Dundee - a review of University governance structures - a judicial review of the processes that led to restructuring of the University and proposal to close courses and services sites.dundee.ac.uk/ducu/

sites.dundee.ac.uk

Dundee University and College Union – Welcome to University and College Union (UCU) University of Dundee Branch home page.

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Solidarity works! Colleagues in History, Classics and Archaeology (HCA) at Newcastle have raised £586 for the UCU Nottingham fighting fund in support of members taking strike action against compulsory redundancies. The collection was organised in recognition that what happens at one

image showing a Solidarity Fund pot for Nottingham Uni UCU to show that we are all in this fight together, and that doing twinning between sections and branches makes a material difference!

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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Something deeply troubling & shocking is happening at Exeter University*, where a mass cull of staff is planned, even though it's in surplus. No good justifications given. @jamesgdyke.info provides the details: www.technosphere.earth/the-bonfire-... *Disclosure: I have a Visiting Fellowship here. +🧵

technosphere.earth

The bonfire of the humanities

150 academic posts at the University of Exeter are to be cut, most in the humanities but also in social sciences, engineering and environmental sciences

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Laleh Khalili @lalehkhalili.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

In our meetings in response to the cuts at Exeter

An image of a slide from a meeting by Humanities and Social Sciences folks saying "WE are a sacrifice that THEY are willing to make"

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

A red weather warning has been issued for some parts of the country. We need the rules to keep us all safe at work. Please sign the petition for a maximum working temperature. www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/we...

megaphone.org.uk

We need a maximum working temperature

A red weather warning has been issued for some parts of the country. We need the rules to keep us all safe at work. Please sign the petition for a maximum working temperature.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Breaking news: the university's heatwave resilience plan has been revealed. Step 1: Walk to a café. Step 2: Ask for some free tap water. We can all relax now.

Satirical image showing an exhausted university worker collapsed on a hot campus pavement beside an open laptop, a long to-do list and a mug labelled "World's Most Overworked Academic". In the background, a sign promotes "Free Tap Water" at an on-site café as heatwave health and safety advice. Speech bubbles joke that help is "only a 5 minute walk away" and encourage staff to "just pop along for some free tap water". The image humorously contrasts severe staff exhaustion with minimal wellbeing support during a heatwave.

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Ben Phillips @benphillips1989.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

A statement from Exeter UCU branch @ucu.org.uk - please share far and wide.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

megaphone.org.uk

We need a maximum working temperature

A red weather warning has been issued for some parts of the country. We need the rules to keep us all safe at work. Please sign the petition for a maximum working temperature.

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Reflecting on CU's drop in world rankings our VC's email to staff: "We need everyone to redouble their efforts to improve our reputation." Well VC, perhaps a university's reputation is linked to how it treats the staff whose expertise create it in the first place? Just a thought

Satirical illustration of university leaders focusing on improving rankings while exhausted staff hold up a building labelled “Reputation”. Beneath them, the foundations are being dismantled through restructuring, redundancies, TUPE transfers and increased workloads. Caption: “Trying to improve rankings while dismantling the people who create them.”

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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

When 93.5% of UK vice-chancellors are white and 68% are men, is it reasonable to ask whether the people making decisions about EDI genuinely reflect the communities affected by those decisions?

Infographic about diversity in UK university leadership. The top section shows that of 153 UK vice-chancellors, 49 (32%) are women and 104 (68%) are men, illustrated with rows of purple and grey figures. The middle section shows that only 10 of 153 vice-chancellors (6.5%) are people of colour, while 93.5% are white, illustrated with blue and grey figures. A large headline asks: “How can leadership understand the diversity of our students if leadership does not reflect it?” Below, a photograph shows a diverse group of students standing together in front of a university building. The infographic includes messages such as “Our students are diverse. Our leadership should be too,” “Representation matters,” and “Who gets to lead our universities?” A source note cites a 2025 HEPI/GatenbySanderson analysis of 153 UK vice-chancellors.

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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

In case you had any doubt that government's anti-immigration stance is anything but shooting itself in the foot: they're currently shutting out UK students holding UK degrees. Let's keep challenging the broader anti-immigration policy, and in the short-term this injustice #UKHE

As a medical student at QMUL, I know firsthand the rigorous standard of clinical training our university upholds. Our university runs a fully GMC-accredited overseas programme where students study the exact same curriculum and sit the identical UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) and Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) as the London cohort.

However, the recent Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 has inadvertently created a geographic loophole affecting British overseas campuses. Despite our equivalent training, the final-year cohort on this programme has faced structural exclusion from the UK Foundation Programme, resulting in zero primary allocations this past March.

From a health policy perspective, the inconsistency is stark.

The new legislation explicitly prioritises graduates from Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein for NHS foundation posts.

Furthermore, students graduating from other international cross-border programmes—such as an Irish-run medical campus based in Malaysia where students complete half their training outside of Europe—inexplicably retain full priority status.

Conversely, students trained to the GMC's standards, graduating from a UK university's own overseas programme have been pushed into a lower priority tier.

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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

These are @qmul.bsky.social students who are taking their degree on our Malta campus. They started the programme with the assurance that this was a UK degree; now their futures are in jeopardy. Staff has been doing everything to find placements. Co-sign this petition: #UKHE #NHS

petition.parliament.uk

Petition: Include GMC accredited degrees from UK medical campuses outside of the UK

The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill should be amended to include GMC accredited medical degrees from UK medical campuses outside of the UK within the definition of UK Primary Medical Qualificat...

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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Any parent and applicant planning to attend the Sussex University Open Day today, we can save you the trouble: these are the non-answers staff is told to give you. To send your staff out with this nonsense and treat visitors to this ChatGPT approach is disrespectful to all.

BRIEFING FOR OPEN DAY STAFF AND STUDENT AMBASSADORS:
UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX CONSULTATION – VISITOR & APPLICANT Q&A

Top tips and key messages
• Lead with stability, continuity, and student experience
• Avoid over-detailing internal changes
o keep messages clear and outward-facing
• Use phrases like: “remains our priority,” “continues as planned,” “committed to providing”

Q: I’ve heard the University is consulting on redundancies. What does this mean?
A:
• Like many UK Universities, Sussex is proposing changes to some roles and structures, and is currently undertaking a formal consultation with staff as part of this process.
• This is part of ensuring the University of Sussex remains sustainable and continues to invest in high-quality teaching, facilities, and student support.

Q: Will this affect teaching quality?
A:
• No: maintaining an excellent teaching experience is our top priority.
• Courses will continue to be delivered as planned, with the same focus on high-quality learning, expert staff, and student outcomes.

Q: Will my course still run?
A:
• Yes. If you have applied for or accepted an offer, your course is expected to run as normal.
• If any changes were to affect your programme directly, you would be contacted promptly with clear information and support.

Q: Will there be fewer staff teaching students?
A:
• Teaching, research, and the experience of our students remains central to everything we do.
• Any proposed changes are carefully planned to ensure students continue to receive the guidance, contact time, and academic expertise they expect.

Q: Is the University financially stable?
A:
• Yes. Like many universities, Sussex is adapting to a changing sector environment.
• These proposals are part of proactive steps to strengthen the University’s long-term sustainability and protect the student experience.

Q: Will student services be affected (e.g. wellbeing, careers, accommodation)?
A:
• Core student services will continue to operate as normal.
• Supporting student wellbeing, employability, and campus life remains a key priority throughout this process.

Q: Is it still a good time to apply or accept my offer?
A:
• Absolutely. The University remains committed to providing a high-quality education and a vibrant student experience.

Q: Will campus life and activities be impacted?
A:
• No. Student life - including societies, events, and campus activities - will continue as usual.
• We are committed to maintaining a welcoming, engaging and supportive community.

Q: How are you supporting staff during this process?
A:
• We are working closely with staff and representatives through a formal consultation process, with a strong focus on transparency, fairness, and support for those affected.

Q: Where can I get more information?
A:
• You can contact our admissions teams at any time.
• We are happy to answer your questions and provide reassurance about your application or study plans.

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