Fwd: Universities UK Bulletin

Our latest round-up of higher education sector news and activity

The Universities UK Bulletin – 21 September 2018 Dear David, Welcome to the Universities UK Bulletin, a regular round-up of Universities UK (UUK) activity including reports, events, blogs, and higher education sector news and initiatives. Patterns and trends in UK higher education 2018 UUK has published its annual analysis of data on the UK higher education sector. The report focuses on applications, student demographics and graduate outcomes; staff backgrounds and expertise; and the income and expenditure of higher education institutions.  Main findings see increased demand for university places from 18-year-olds, with those from less advantaged backgrounds 49% more likely to apply than a decade ago, as well as increases in the number of BME and female professors. Read the report in full on the UUK website.  UUK Members' Annual Conference 2018   Speeches by UUK President Professor Dame Janet Beer and Universities Minister, Sam Gyimah MP, are now available to view online. In the organisations centenary year, Professor Dame Janet Beer spoke on the government's review of post-18 education and funding in England, as well as UUK's proposals for a new Global Graduate Talent Visa. In the minister's first appearance at UUK, Sam Gyimah shared his vision of the future of universities and the role they play in transforming society.  Events Research and innovation in universities 16 October 2018 Woburn House Book your place Making an impact: marketing and communications in higher education 8 November 2018 Woburn House Book your place Enhancing the international student experience 15 November 2018  Woburn House Book your place Access to higher education and student success summit 21 November 2018  Woburn House Book your place Response to Joint Expert Panel report on USS valuation UUK has welcomed the report of the Joint Expert Panel (JEP), which was published last week. The JEP was established by UUK and the University and College Union (UCU) to independently review the 2017 valuation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme, including its processes and assumptions.   Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive of UUK, expressed hope that the panel's findings will 'create the space for UCU and UUK to find common ground to conclude the 2017 valuation.' UUK will now consult with employers over the panel's findings, and has established www.ussemployers.org.uk to further support employers with their communications to staff on USS. BME student attainment – roundtable evidence sessions As part of UUK's joint project with the NUS to address the attainment gap that exists between white and BME students, we are hosting five evidence sessions for university staff, students and other stakeholders:  18 October – Aston University 30 October – UWE, Bristol 14 November – Glasgow Caledonian University 21 November – London (location tbc) 23 November – Yorkshire (location tbc)  Spaces are limited, so please contact Dan Hurley to attend. Office for Students' (OfS) consultation on access and participation in England UUK is seeking members' input to inform our response to the OfS consultation on its proposed new approach to access and participation regulation. UUK has been engaging closely with OfS, calling for an extended duration of the plans to allow universities to take a longer-term, strategic approach to the issues facing their own university community. Please send your views or questions to Daniel Wake by Friday 28 September 2018. Input will be collated by UUK and anonymised where requested. Separately, we encourage members to respond on behalf of their own institution ahead of the OfS' deadline of 12pm on Friday 12 October 2018. Ban 'essay mill' cheating services UUK supports the campaign for tougher action against essay mills (companies selling custom-made essays to students). They undermine the high standards of UK universities and are unfair to honest students. Sign the petition to take action.   Latest blogs   Student mental health: dealing with the transition from school to university Posted on 15 August 2018 by Louise Honey, Programme Development Manager, Student Minds   University admissions and clearing: what to expect this year Posted on 10 August 2018 by Daniel Wake, Policy Analyst, Universities UK   Subscribe to the Universities UK blog MAC reports on international students and EEA workers UUK responded to the publication of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report on the impact of international students in the UK, by saying that "while the report recognises the enormous contribution international students make to life in the UK, we are disappointed with its main recommendations". Our response featured in The Guardian, BBC News, Financial Times, The Times, Daily Mail and The Sun.   UUK also responded to the MAC's report on the impact of migration from the European Economic Area (EEA): "we hope the UK government now develops promptly a reshaped immigration system that encourages talented international university staff to choose the UK". <h3 class="null" style="margin: 0;padding: 0;display: block;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 18