The Wonkhe Show

This week on the podcast we examine the Office for Students’ (OfS) renewed scrutiny of degree classification algorithms and what it means for confidence in standards. We explore the balance between institutional autonomy, transparency for students and employers, and the evidence regulators will expect.Plus we discuss the government’s response to the Francis review of curriculum and assessment in England, and the Welsh government’s plan to lift the undergraduate fee cap in 2026–27 to align with England with a 2 per cent uplift to student support.With Alex Stanley, Vice President for Higher Education of the National Union of Students, Michelle Morgan, Dean of Students at the University of East London, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.Algorithms aren’t the problem. It’s the classification system they supportThe Office for Students steps on to shaky ground in an attempt to regulate academic standardsUniversities in England can’t ignore the curriculum (and students) that are comingDiamond’s a distant memory as Wales plays inflation games with fees and maintenanceWhat we still need to talk about when it comes to the LLE

This week on the podcast we discuss fresh polling on public attitudes to UK universities, which shows how a widening graduate/non-graduate divide and sharper political splits are fuelling worries about degree quality and whether universities are focused on the country’s interests.Plus we discuss the housing crunch – the new Renters’ Rights Act, warnings on missed housebuilding targets, and what a forthcoming statement of expectations on student accommodation could require of providers working with local authorities. And we explore employability insights from new research – the language gap between university “attributes” and real job adverts, and how to recognise skills students gain beyond the curriculum.With Ben Ward, CEO at the University of Manchester Students’ Union, Johnny Rich, Chief Executive at the Engineering Professors’ Council and Push, Livia Scott, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Student accommodation – a tale of two cities, and 2point4 studentsThe Renters’ Rights Act is out of the oven, but the student housing market is still cookedShared Institutions: The public’s view on the role of universities in national and local life / More in Common and UCL Policy LabAGCAS: Uncovering SkillsEmployability: degrees of value / Johnny Rich

This week on the podcast we get across the Westminster government’s post-16 white paper – its headline target of two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning by 25, the plan to index the undergraduate fee cap to inflation (with TEF-linked eligibility), the maintenance package holding to the status quo, and a push for institutional specialisation via research funding alongside changes to access, participation, and regulation.We ask whether these levers add up – will automatic indexation and selective controls actually stabilise university finances while widening opportunity, or do TEF-conditioned fee rises, classroom-based foundation year limits, and OfS expansion risk new “cold spots”, tighter choice, and a tougher deal on student maintenance?Plus we discuss the proposed international student levy and quid-pro-quo on quality; tougher franchising rules and agent oversight; a “statement of expectations” on student accommodation; governance and TPS pressures; and much much more.With Debbie McVitty, Editor, Wonkhe, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor, Wonkhe, Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor, Wonkhe, Michael Salmon, News Editor, Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief, Wonkhe.What is in the post-16 education and skills white paper for higher education?

This week on the podcast we look at Wales’ emerging higher education settlement, as Universities Wales publishes its manifesto for the May 2026 Senedd elections amid polling that points to a potential Plaid-led administration. Plus we discuss new Office for Students’ data on subcontracted (franchised) provision showing weaker continuation, completion and progression outcomes relative to sector averages, and assess the Institute of Student Employers’ latest survey, with graduate hiring down overall but highly variable by sector amid persistently high applications per vacancy.With Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, Sarah Cowan, Head of Policy (Higher Education and Research) at the British Academy, Sarah Stevens, Director of Strategy at the Russell Group and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Universities Wales election manifestoOutcomes data for subcontracted provisionGraduate jobs and recruitment reality

This week on the podcast as pro-Palestinian student protests mark the anniversary of October 7, an intervention from Keir Starmer sparks a national debate on campus safety, antisemitism, and free speech. Plus the Prime Minister is leading a trade delegation to India alongside sector leaders, we explore the growing opportunities in transnational education and ask whether UK universities are ready for a TNE surge – and at Conservative Party Conference, Kemi Badenoch announces plans to slash student numbers and redirect funding.With Jess Lister, Director (Education) at Public First, Liz Hutchinson, Chief Executive at London Higher, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and hosted by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.OfS rebalances the free speech/harassment see-saw on antisemitismConservatives have a poor quality higher education policyA TNE policy primer for anyone seeking new funding streams

This week on the podcast, as the dust settles on Labour conference in Liverpool, we unpack what Keir Starmer’s new higher education participation target really means – and whether universities have the capacity and funding to meet the moment. We also get into the surprise return of targeted maintenance grants – funded controversially by the levy on international student fees, and we reflect on the wider political atmosphere at the conference – from policy signals to sector perceptions, and what all this might tell us about Labour’s emerging offer and forthcoming White Paper. With Gary Hughes, Chief Executive at Durham Students’ Union, Eve Alcock, Director of Public Affairs at QAA, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and hosted by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.The PM’s announcement on higher level participation is a win for the HE sectorThe fifty per cent participation target is no more. Again.Grants return, the levy staysMaybe the levy just moves money to where it’s needed mostThe Augar review is back, baby. Just don’t about talk yourselfStudents are being othered again – and everyone loses outHave universities got the capacity and cash to respond to the government’s agenda?How much should the new maintenance grant be?Universities should be central to rebuilding communitiesStudents are working harder than ever – because they have toI have a lot of questions about the LLEWho’s ready for a debate at 930am on a Sunday?The education policy trap: will the Augar review avoid the mistakes of the past?

This week on the podcast we examine the results of the Office for Students’ first sector-wide survey on sexual misconduct. With over 50,000 responses from final-year undergraduates, the data provides a stark picture of prevalence, reporting, and staff-student relationships in higher education. But with only sector-level results released, questions remain about transparency, accountability, and the regulator’s approach to such a sensitive issue.Plus we discuss the politics and potential consequences of a proposed levy on international student fees – a policy idea that could reshape funding, recruitment, and the UK’s global competitiveness. And we take stock of warnings from the Institute of Physics about possible closures of departments and courses, asking what this says about funding for high-cost subjects and the sector’s capacity to manage contraction and change.With Charlotte Corrish, Head of Public Policy at the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, Mark Bennett, Vice President Research and Insight at Keystone Education Group, and David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.The “regulatory burden” on sexual misconduct needs to lift the weight from studentsWhat OfS’ data on harassment and sexual misconduct doesn’t tell usIOP: Quarter of UK university physics departments risk closure as funding crisis bitesPublic First: Counting the cost – Modelling the economic impact of a potential levy on international student fees

This week on the podcast we examine the Office for Students' proposed overhaul of England's quality system, as radical reforms seek to integrate the Teaching Excellence Framework with minimum standards and give TEF some serious teeth.Plus we discuss the government's long-awaited "Hillsborough law" as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill imposes new duties of candour on universities, and examine the machinery of government changes that have seen apprenticeships policy and Skills England transferred from the Department for Education to Pat McFadden's expanded Department for Work and Pensions.With Andrea Turley, Partner at KPMG, Shane Chowen, Editor at FE Week, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.TEF6: the incredible machine takes over quality assurance regulationReputation versus sunlight – universities and the new duty of candourWhat Ofsted inspections reveal about university leadership and cultureA machinery of government muddle over skillsThe former student leaders entering Parliament

This week on the podcast we examine the bombshell merger announcement between the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent, set to create the London and South East University Group – one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK.With a memorandum of understanding signed and contracts expected by Christmas, this "super university" is being hailed as a potential blueprint for sector transformation. But what does this new multi-university model really mean for students, staff, and the future of higher education consolidation?Plus we discuss the recent government reshuffle and its implications for the sector, as Angela Rayner's departure triggers ministerial changes across departments with direct links to higher education – from Liz Kendall's appointment as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to questions about skills policy under Pat McFadden's expanded brief at the newly configured Department for Work and Pensions.With Ben Vulliamy, Executive Director at the Association of Heads of University Administration, Emma Maslin, Senior Policy and Research Officer at AMOSSHE, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe. The first multi-university group arrivesBack to the future for the TEF? Back to school for OfS?The former student leaders entering Parliament Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anton Muscatelli, Principal at the University of Glasgow, Dani Payne, Head of Education and Social Mobility at the Social Market Foundation, and James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, dive into the pressing challenges facing UK higher education. They discuss potential tuition increases and the tightening immigration landscape for international students. The conversation highlights the impact of financial strains, the need for better governance practices, and the importance of addressing the gap between international students' expectations and reality.