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Automatically curated from DfE announcements, education news, and sector updates.

MPs condemn student loan mis-selling and demand reversal of repayment threshold freeze

MPs on the Treasury select committee have ruled that government promotion of student loans amounted to mis-selling, citing misleading comparisons to mobile phone contracts and failure to disclose changeable terms. The committee also insists ministers have a moral obligation to reverse last year's decision to freeze the Plan 2 repayment threshold at £29,385.

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Policy Jul 6, 2026

MPs: Student loans 'mis-sold' via phone contract comparisons

Students were not adequately informed that their loan terms could be altered retrospectively, according to a new parliamentary report. The committee found that comparing student finance to mobile phone contracts failed to convey the reality that repayment conditions could change after graduation.

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Education Jul 5, 2026

University Language Course Cuts Threaten Social Mobility, Warn Experts

Leading academics and former education secretaries have warned that sweeping cuts to language degrees at Russell Group universities risk undermining social mobility for working-class pupils. The redundancies at the University of Exeter and proposed axing of language courses at Nottingham come amid falling exam entries and growing concerns about the UK's vocational skills pipeline.

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Policy 3 weeks ago

MPs condemn student loan mis-selling and demand reversal of repayment threshold freeze

Read Summary

Policy 3 weeks ago

MPs: Student loans 'mis-sold' via phone contract comparisons

Read Summary

Education 4 weeks ago

University Language Course Cuts Threaten Social Mobility, Warn Experts

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Policy Jul 4, 2026

UK Government Axes £45m Overseas Higher Education Programme for Women and Girls

The Strengthening Higher Education for Female Empowerment (SHEFE) programme, which aimed to support one million women and girls across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, has been cancelled just two years after its launch. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has withdrawn the tender for the scheme amid wider aid budget cuts, ending the initiative designed to improve access to higher education for female students worldwide.

Policy Jul 4, 2026

British Teens in EU to Lose Home Fee Status and Student Finance for UK Universities

British teenagers living in the European Union currently qualify for home fee status and student loans when applying to UK universities, but this will end in 2028 when the Brexit grace period closes. Those starting their A-levels this autumn will be the first cohort affected, potentially facing international tuition fees of up to £40,000 per year without access to government student finance.

Skills & Employment Jul 2, 2026

T Levels Rarely Lead to Top Universities Despite 'Gold-Standard' Status

New evidence suggests T Levels, introduced as prestigious technical alternatives to A Levels, are infrequently accepted by leading higher education institutions. This raises serious concerns about parity of esteem between academic and vocational pathways for post-16 students.

Policy Jul 1, 2026

Backlash grows over Exeter University plans to cut 150 humanities jobs

More than 21,000 people have signed a petition against proposed redundancies at the University of Exeter, which would disproportionately affect arts and social sciences departments. Leading cultural figures including Rowan Williams and Mark Kermode have joined the campaign amid concerns about the sector-wide decline of humanities provision in higher education.

Policy Jun 28, 2026

Restoring Faith in Degrees: Ministers Must Address Falling Graduate Premiums

New research reveals that one in four UK graduates now face negative financial returns on their degrees, while public confidence in university education has plummeted from 14% to 34% over two decades. The Institute for Fiscal Studies reports that lifetime earnings premiums have shrunk by roughly 30%, exacerbated by recent unfavourable changes to student loan repayment terms.

Policy Jun 27, 2026

'I'm missing out': The hidden cost of university for commuter students

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are increasingly forced to live at home during their degrees due to financial constraints, limiting their ability to participate in campus life and career development opportunities. This growing trend of long-distance commuting leaves many too exhausted to fully engage with the wider university experience.

Skills & Employment Jun 27, 2026

Postgraduate debt crisis: Master's students facing 'life tax' of double loans

UK postgraduates are accumulating debts exceeding £77,000 as they combine undergraduate and master's loans to fund essential qualifications for their chosen careers. Many describe the repayments as a "life tax" that they will never clear, raising urgent questions about the affordability of higher education and its impact on social mobility.

Skills & Employment Jun 25, 2026

New Data Reveals Which University Degrees Deliver Highest Lifetime Returns

Recent analysis sheds light on the significant variation in lifetime earnings across different university degree subjects. These findings offer valuable insights for young people considering their post-18 options and for local authorities advising on career pathways and skills development.

Skills & Employment Jun 24, 2026

Quarter of UK graduates financially worse off from university degrees, IFS finds

New research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests that approximately 25% of UK graduates may face negative financial returns from their university education, particularly those studying creative and performing arts subjects. While most graduates can expect to earn £100,000 more over their lifetimes, student loans and taxes mean a significant minority would have been better off financially without attending university.

Policy Jun 21, 2026

Indian Students Reconsider UK Study Amid Visa Crackdowns and Currency Crash

A weakening rupee and stricter UK immigration rules are deterring Indian students from traditional study destinations, reshaping international enrolment patterns. This shift poses questions for local authorities regarding university funding, local economies, and future skills pipelines.

Skills & Employment Jun 21, 2026

Weaker rupee and visa restrictions deter Indian students from UK universities

Economic pressures and stricter immigration policies are causing Indian students to reconsider UK higher education, raising questions about university funding and future local skills pipelines.

Education Jun 21, 2026

Medical Entrance Exam Security Under Scrutiny After India Paper Leak Forces Resits

More than two million aspiring doctors in India were forced to resit a crucial medical entrance examination following allegations of a widespread question paper leak. The scandal prompted authorities to implement airport-style security measures including biometric checks and metal detectors at test centres to safeguard the integrity of the rescheduled assessment.

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