This week on the podcast we examine what the rebooted 2029 Research Excellence Framework will mean for universities’ research strategies, research culture, and future funding – including the new “strategy, people and research environment” element and the renewed focus on contribution to knowledge and understanding through research outputs.

Plus we discuss the government’s crackdown on franchised higher education provision and student loan eligibility, and we look back at the defining moments of 2025 in higher education policy – from regulation and finance to admissions, academic freedom and research – and consider what they might signal for universities in 2026 and beyond.

With Steph Harris, Director of Policy at Universities UK, Andy Westwood, Professor of Public Policy, Government and Business at the University of Manchester, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

On the site:

Re-thinking research support for English universities: Research England’s programme of work during the REF 2029 pause

Everything you need to know about REF 2029

Study a Bachelors DEGREE without paying a single penny? You’re on

Weekend courses can’t get student loans

Sub-contractual providers need to register with OfS

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify, Acast, Amazon Music, Deezer, RadioPublic, Podchaser, Castbox, Player FM, Stitcher,

This week on the podcast artificial intelligence remains front and centre, with a look at the growing concerns around AI-generated teaching content and the student backlash it's prompted. We also discuss our new project with Kortext on AI in pedagogy and an emerging debate over AI’s place in the REF process.

Plus we explore the financial strategies universities in England are adopting in response to mounting pressures, and what does a more ambitious civic university agenda look like in 2025?

With James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, Jo Heaton-Marriott, Managing Director at the Authentic Partnership, Jonathan Simons, Partner and Head of the Education Practice at Public First and hosted by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

The end of pretend – AI and the case for universities of formation

High quality learning means developing and upskilling educators on the pedagogy of AI

Counting the cost of financial challenges in English higher education

Civic 2.0 – the civic university agenda but with sustainable impact

This week on the podcast we examine how Budget 2025 reshapes the university funding model – from the international levy and modest new maintenance grants, to confirmed tuition fee uplifts and changes to pension tax arrangements that will affect institutional costs.

We discuss what the package tells us about the government’s approach to public finances, the politics of international recruitment, and the sustainability of cross-subsidy in a tight fiscal environment for higher education.

Plus we discuss research and innovation announcements and get across debate in Holyrood on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill.

With Ken Sloan, Vice-Chancellor and CEO at Harper Adams University, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

Budget 2025 for universities and students

Universities now need to be much clearer about the total cost of a course

Student finance changes in the budget – Director’s cut

Reclassification ghosts and jam tomorrow at stage 2 of Scotland’s tertiary bill

A government running out of road still sets the economic weather for higher education

A change in approach means research may never be the same again

This week on the podcast we examine what the rise of Reform UK – and new insight into its prospective voters – might mean for universities, international education, and the wider public legitimacy of higher education.

Plus we discuss Skills England’s new guidance on local skills improvement plans – and the move to place higher education, up to postgraduate level, at the heart of local skills ecosystems – and a new study of student working lives that reveals how paid employment alongside full-time study is reshaping participation, wellbeing, and outcomes.

With Sam Roseveare, Director of Regional and National Policy at University of Warwick, Alex Favier, Director at Favier Ltd, Jen Summerton, Operations Director at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

Labour takes steps to bring higher education and local skills closer together

Long hours and poor working conditions hit students’ outcomes hard

The surprising pragmatism of Reform UK voters towards international education

Higher education’s civic role has never been more important to get right

This week on the podcast, live from our Festival in London, we discuss access and social mobility as the Office for Students reshuffles its leadership, and the Sutton Trust publishes a new report that paints a sobering picture.

Plus we discuss university governance and our new paper for the Post-18 Project, and we capture the vibes from our event, from the best quotes to the big debates shaping the sector’s future.

With Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive at Advance HE, Janet Lord, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor for Education at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe – and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

Sutton Trust: Degrees of Difference

OfS: Director for Fair Access and Participation steps down from regulator

Earning the license: How to reform university governance in the UK

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 support

The Office for Students steps on to shaky ground in an attempt to regulate academic standards

Universities in England can’t ignore the curriculum (and students) that are coming

Diamond’s a distant memory as Wales plays inflation games with fees and maintenance

What 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 students

The Renters’ Rights Act is out of the oven, but the student housing market is still cooked

Shared Institutions: The public’s view on the role of universities in national and local life / More in Common and UCL Policy Lab

AGCAS: Uncovering Skills

Employability: 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 manifesto

Outcomes data for subcontracted provision

Graduate 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 antisemitism

Conservatives have a poor quality higher education policy

A TNE policy primer for anyone seeking new funding streams