Turnitin has changed its licence so student submissions can train its AI
The new agreement lets Turnitin use work you hand in to train AI services, including a tool it calls Clarity. The University of Southampton has cancelled its subscription for every course in 2026/27, saying Turnitin has not fully clarified what future changes may be imposed, and students’ unions at York, East Anglia, Reading, Lancaster and St Andrews have objected. Warwick says no change applies this academic year, so ask your department which terms your submitted work falls under.
Who withdraws a visa application decides whose record carries the refusal
Since 1 June 2026 a university sponsoring visas for international students must keep its refusal rate under 5%, half the old 10% limit, and an application withdrawn before a decision counts nowhere in that figure. Withdrawals reached 11,500 in the year to June 2026, double the year before, with Pakistan and Nigeria accounting for 57% of them. Withdraw yourself and no refusal is recorded; a CAS the university pulls instead normally ends in a refusal against your name.
Free careers advice is now available through Jobcentres
England. The guidance the National Careers Service used to give has moved into the Department for Work and Pensions, with around 500 qualified advisers now working through Jobcentres. It is open to anyone whether or not you claim benefits, so you can use it while still studying as well as after you finish. Advice is online or on the freephone number 0800 072 0288, with face-to-face appointments from later this month — a second route alongside your university service when looking for a graduate job.
Nottingham approves cuts that could close nearly 50 courses
The university’s council has approved the second phase of its restructuring, which puts 609 jobs at risk over three years and could close nearly 50 courses, against an £85m deficit. Staff struck last Thursday and further action runs from 5 October to 11 December, though the university says experience of previous strikes suggests most students will see little or no disruption to teaching. Students were emailed on Thursday about changes to their studies and invited to an engagement event.