Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 13/04/2026Long read: Did Michael Gove’s ‘enough of experts’ rebuke change UK academia? Patrick Jack meets the former education secretary to find out #highered #EduSky www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/… 002
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 07/04/2026The number of academics working in under-fire departments such as English and modern languages in UK universities fell to a record low last year, reports Patrick Jack #AcademicSky #EduSky www.timeshighereducation.com/news/u… 031
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 31/03/2026Elite UK universities have a long way to go to catch up to the “alumni-begging machine” of the US sector, it has been warned, with donations falling last year despite renewed focus on philanthropy. Patrick Jack reports #EduSky #HigherEd ow.ly/SCph50YB3hI 001
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 26/03/2026Local students risk being “overlooked” by elite UK universities as they try to meet their widening participation targets, scholars have warned. Patrick Jack reports #EduSky www.timeshighereducation.com/news/e… 064
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 24/03/2026Universities in London face an “uphill battle” in trying to counter disinformation from “bad actors” on social media who claim the capital is a dangerous place to live, experts have warned. Patrick Jack reports #EduSky #disinformation ow.ly/SM4a50Yxu1R 013
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 20/03/2026‘Look again’ at fairness of student loans, says former education secretary Michael Gove #highered #EduSky ow.ly/O7gt50Ywn1J 101
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Hundreds of graduates are owed more than £5,000 after over-repaying on their student loan debt, according to new figures that show more than £300 million has been collected in error in the past decade. Patrick Jack reports #EduSky #studentloans ow.ly/15vZ50Ywh56 011
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 09/03/2026The Trump administration’s proposals to eviscerate the NIH and NSF have been overturned in Congress after a year of legal wrangling. As funding continues only to dribble out of politicised agencies, few believe that US science is out of the woods yet, writes Patrick Jack ow.ly/c25s50Yqbrp 012
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 05/03/2026The number of unconditional offers handed out in the UK have shot up by more than a fifth as more universities turn to admissions guarantees to reach recruitment and widening participation goals ow.ly/tgkl50Ypamh 032
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 26/02/2026The proportion of study visas refused by the UK Home Office has increased to its highest level in almost a decade but figures suggest a slight rebound in demand this year #Inlted #higheredtimeshighereducation.comInternational master’s students on the up but visa refusals riseEarly figures for this academic year show ‘volatile’ recruitment continuing, with several Russell Group universities seeing steep drops 012
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 25/02/2026Almost 10,000 staff across the Russell Group are paid at least £100,000 a year, analysis reveals, with almost one in 10 employees earning over this threshold at some London institutions ow.ly/eR6n50Yl56K 022
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 24/02/2026‘He was surrounded by smart people’: THE analysis of DOJ files reveals new links between scholars and Jeffrey Epstein after he was already a known sex offender. Patrick Jack reports ow.ly/Gh1p50Ykinf 121
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 19/02/2026The number of academics working in UK institutions has fallen for the first time on record, new figures reveal. Patrick Jack reports #EduSky #AcademicSky www.timeshighereducation.com/news/n…timeshighereducation.comNumber of academics working in the UK falls for first timeSome universities reduce staff teams by more than a fifth after year of cutbacks and job losses, new data show 01321
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 09/02/2026The high rate of turnover of UK university vice-chancellors has been compared to the “managerial merry-go-round” of top football clubs amid warnings that some leadership positions are becoming increasingly unattractive, reports Patrick Jack #HigherEd #AcademicSky ow.ly/ShJg50Y9Szr 043
Reposted by Patrick JackChris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 09/02/2026Number of US students coming to UK unlikely to keep rising and universities should not pin hopes on recruitment from a structurally tough market, vice-chancellor warns www.timeshighereducation.com/news/rising-... via @patrickjack.bsky.socialtimeshighereducation.comRising US student numbers in UK ‘unsustainable’, warns v-cModest ‘Trump surge’ will not last, says leader, with regulation, demographics and parental preferences all posing issues for institutions hoping to recruit 002
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 27/01/2026UK institutions suffered a record fall in international student numbers last year, with significant drops in enrolments from India, China and Nigeria at some universities #highered #Edusky ow.ly/aesG50Y4hh0 016
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 19/01/2026Almost a third of UK universities have reported deficits so far this year, though analysis suggests that the sector is making more money from its operating activities in a sign that the financial situation may be improving, reports Patrick Jack #highered ow.ly/if7G50XY1MO 052
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 15/01/2026English universities are still awarding about 40 per cent more first-class degrees than might be expected, according to the sector regulator, with the number of “unexplained” top marks almost twice that at some institutions. Patrick Jack reports #edusky ow.ly/p8bR50XXk0gow.lyRise in firsts at some English providers ‘unexplained’, warns OfSRegulator says proportion of top marks awarded by institutions still way above what might be expected 101
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 15/01/2026Universities in the UK spent more than £300 million on severance pay last year, cutting more than 13,000 roles, with experts warning that there is more pain to come. Patrick Jack reports www.timeshighereducation.com/news/p… 054
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 14/01/2026Scholars with large followings on TikTok say it is a good way to change misconceptions about what they do. Patrick Jack reports www.timeshighereducation.com/news/a… 002
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 13/01/2026High-profile US institutions looking for new presidents are likely to favour candidates who “can make headway but not headlines” as vacancies at the top mount amid the political turmoil, reports Patrick Jack #academicsky ow.ly/PWS350XVwv8 052
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 12/01/2026The average salary among Russell Group leaders increased above £350,000 last year, despite these universities losing almost 7,000 staff members due to cost-cutting. Patrick Jack crunches the numbers #highered #academicsky ow.ly/gJK850XU77K 02724
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 26/12/2025Trump turmoil, financial strife and shifts in international student enrolment all feature heavily in annual round-up of stories that most engaged THE readers. Tom Williams reports www.timeshighereducation.com/news/t… 002
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 16/12/2025Leaders of some of the UK’s top universities have continued to receive significant bonuses and other benefits despite the financial challenges facing the sector, reports Patrick Jack #academicsky #edusky www.timeshighereducation.com/news/o… 122
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 12/12/2025The rapid growth of some providers operating under franchised arrangements with universities has been revealed in new figures, with experts warning that it will be difficult for the government to “close the floodgates”. Patrick Jack reports #edusky ow.ly/Tka150XHoKE 022
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 10/12/2025A record 90,000 UK undergraduates are living at home this year, according to new figures from the university admissions service #EduSky #higheredtimeshighereducation.comMore than half of disadvantaged students living at family homeAdmissions chief fears rise of commuter students may limit access to courses for those from poorest backgrounds 124
Reposted by Patrick JackChris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 10/12/2025Researchers moving to UK under Global Talent Fund speak out, saying global race for top scientists is hotting up www.timeshighereducation.com/news/talent-... via @patrickjack.bsky.socialtimeshighereducation.comTalent race ‘wide open’, say US researchers heading to UKTwo of the first beneficiaries of £54 million Global Talent Fund discuss how US funding uncertainties – as well as desire for home comforts – influenced their decision to move 002
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 20/11/2025In-depth read: Is it time for the UK to expel the boarding school model of HE? asks Patrick Jack ow.ly/85zc50Xu3iU 001
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 21/11/2025Flat fee or percentage levy divides universities ahead of UK budget. Helen Packer and Patrick Jack report ow.ly/RT7C50XuLye 001
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 12/11/2025Academics running modules on Donald Trump must grapple with fast-changing dynamics and the fear of provoking the world’s most powerful man www.timeshighereducation.com/news/c… 001
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 07/11/2025Better support systems needed for scholars facing political threats, according to Rutgers historian labelled ‘domestic terrorist professor’ www.timeshighereducation.com/news/a… 012
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 31/10/2025Lessons from Ukraine: ‘no manual for war but it pays to prepare’. Patrick Jack reports from #GoingGlobal www.timeshighereducation.com/news/l… 012
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 14/10/2025The loss of students from Europe after Brexit is the “elephant in the room” when considering many of the problems UK higher education now faces, according to the authors of a new book. Patrick Jack reports #academicsky ow.ly/hqzn50XazBe 01210
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 10/10/2025Tories’ search for new ideas leads to same HE playbook: ‘Debt trap’ has replaced ‘Mickey Mouse’ courses but Badenoch still kicking universities after being ‘boxed in’ by Labour’s apprenticeship embrace and Reform attacks on elitism. Patrick Jack reports ow.ly/yN0X50X9f2U 011
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 03/10/2025With levy-funded maintenance grants and 50 per cent target scrapped again, government’s vision for universities becomes clearer. But while rhetoric appears tough, experts see opportunities as education takes centre stage. Patrick Jack reports ow.ly/bwXv50X5BgV 053
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 18/09/2025Vice-chancellors of UK universities were much less likely to attend private school than other top public servants, with half now coming from a comprehensive school background, according to a report from @suttontrust.bsky.social. @patrickjack.bsky.social writes bit.ly/3KsAIKE 142
Reposted by Patrick JackChris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 12/09/20254,000 university courses closed in last academic year, with nearly half of these at 'low-tariff' institutions. 47% of history/philosophy/religion courses at low tariff providers have closed in the last year alone www.timeshighereducation.com/news/almost-... via @patrickjack.bsky.socialtimeshighereducation.comAlmost 4,000 courses closed at UK universities since 2024Analysis reveals half of closures have come at lower-tariff universities, creating a ‘vicious cycle’ for institutions struggling to attract students 0510
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 11/09/2025Is it time for universities to engage seriously with Reform UK? The party’s annual conference suggests universities have a lot of ground to make up with it. @patrickjack.bsky.social reports #ReformUK #academicskytimeshighereducation.comIs it time for universities to engage seriously with Reform UK?A sector described by a leading party figure as a ‘conveyor belt for communism’ is understandably wary of Nigel Farage’s latest right-wing populist project. But Reform UK persistently tops opinion pol... 1601
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 29/08/2025The UK government has been urged to extend money laundering legislation to the higher education sector to prevent students facing the “horrific consequences” of being used as “money mules”. @patrickjack.bsky.social reports #academicsky #eduskytimeshighereducation.comStudent ‘money mules’ increasingly targeted by organised crimeGovernment urged to close ‘regulation loophole’ to better protect staff and students from risks of money laundering 001
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 29/08/2025Chinese students view the UK’s university system as “easy in and easy out” but resent “assembly line” teaching that makes them feel like “tinned tomatoes”, according to new research. @patrickjack.bsky.social reports #academicsky #eduskytimeshighereducation.com‘Easy in, easy out’: Chinese students say UK ‘like assembly line’International students feel marketisation has brought easier admissions but lower teaching standards at prestigious British universities, finds new study 032
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 19/08/2025Testing applicants’ open-mindedness ‘could reshape universities’, reports @patrickjack.bsky.social #academicsky #eduskytimeshighereducation.comTesting applicants’ open-mindedness ‘could reshape universities’Six US institutions adopt online module that promises to assess civil discourse of potential students but scholars sceptical it will improve campus debate 131
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 18/08/2025Donald Trump’s assaults on US science and universities in many ways mirror those previously enacted in Brazil by Jair Bolsonaro. Two years on from the latter’s election defeat, @patrickjack.bsky.social assesses what the state of Brazilian science says about how US institutions might fare post-Trumptimeshighereducation.comHow quickly can academia recover from right-wing populism?Donald Trump’s assaults on US science and universities in many ways mirror those previously enacted in Brazil by Jair Bolsonaro. Two years on from the latter’s election defeat, Patrick Jack assesses w... 001
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 14/08/2025A-level results day: Less-selective universities may have to consider new teaching models or mergers, experts have warned, as top institutions continue to “make hay while the sun shines” by recruiting a lion’s share of domestic students. @patrickjack.bsky.social reports #academicsky #Alevelresultstimeshighereducation.com‘Uneven’ recruitment may ‘force more universities into mergers’Record number of applicants brings temporary relief to under-pressure institutions, but issues of ‘systematic underfunding’ remain 101
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 22/07/2025Can right-wing US students deliver a ‘death blow’ to the Democratic Party, asks @patrickjack.bsky.social #TPUSA #AcademicSkytimeshighereducation.comCan right-wing US students deliver a ‘death blow’ to the Democratic Party?The annual Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit drew thousands of students and a host of Republican luminaries. But the event was rather overshadowed by the row over Jeffrey Epstein’s client list... 113
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 15/07/2025THE’s analysis of the National Student Survey 2025 reveals that a former Anglican teaching training college has again beaten the country’s elite universities for student satisfaction. @patrickjack.bsky.social crunches the numbers #AcademicSky #EduSky #NSStimeshighereducation.comNational Student Survey 2025: which university performed best?THE’s analysis reveals that a former Anglican teaching training college has again beaten the country’s elite universities for student satisfaction 001
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 03/07/2025The overhauling of two major graduate earnings surveys has highlighted that existing figures are an uncertain measure of a degree’s value even in narrow economic terms. But by talking up the graduate premium in its promotional material, was the sector already doing itself a disservice?timeshighereducation.comAre UK universities overselling graduate earnings data?The overhauling of two major graduate earnings surveys has highlighted that existing figures are an uncertain measure of a degree’s value even in narrow economic terms. But by talking up the graduate ... 161
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 19/06/2025The number of private school students admitted into the University of Oxford has increased, with state school students less likely to receive an offer from the institution, figures show. @patrickjack.bsky.social reports #AcademicSky #EduSkytimeshighereducation.comOxford private school intake rises as interest hits 10-year highRecord number of ethnic minority students accepted and largest annual increase non-state school students in 15 years 031
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 19/06/2025The proportion of state school pupils accepted into the University of Cambridge has fallen by a record amount, following the institution’s decision to scrap admissions targets in this area, analysis reveals. @patrickjack.bsky.social reports #AcademicSky #EduSkytimeshighereducation.comCambridge’s state school intake falls again after target scrappedMore students accepted into prestigious university, but numbers coming from maintained schools return to 2020 levels after ‘period of rapid growth’ 0710
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 17/06/2025The number of cases referred to the UK government’s anti-extremism programme from within universities has doubled over the past three years and reached a record high, figures reveal. @patrickjack.bsky.social reports #AcademicSky #higheredtimeshighereducation.comUniversity referrals to anti-extremism scheme hit new highMore English institutions escalating cases to counter-terrorism organisation Prevent, driven by concerns related to radical Islam 001
Reposted by Patrick JackTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 16/06/2025Watershed settlement that paves the way for US colleges to pay student-athletes directly represents a “tipping point” for higher education #highered #EduSkytimeshighereducation.comUS athlete deal ‘will have ripple effect’ on academic budgetsNational Collegiate Athletics Association settlement could force reckoning on role of athletic teams in smaller institutions facing funding cuts 001
