What is a university?
At present the title of “university” can be used only by institutions that award taught degrees and research degrees. The government is going to change the rules, to “send an important signal” about its emphasis on teaching excellence. In future the title will be awarded on the basis of taught degrees, student numbers and the range of subjects offered. The government says it is keen to see more collaboration between universities and further education colleges, which currently provide 11% of higher education courses. Academic pay The government says it plans a “twin track” on pay. More money will be made available for universities that have good “human resource strategies”. This will reward initiatives that recruit and retain staff and recognise good performance. Secondly it wants to see greater differentiation in salary levels, with institutions rewarding those who teach well. Degrees Students’ views are going to be canvassed and published in an annual guide to each university, oversee
