“A huge relief”: Leeds Trinity students will not have to repay
Students at Leeds Trinity issued maintenance loans in error have been given a repayment reprieve, which the National Union of Students called a huge relief. It is the first reversal in a story that began with 22,000 students across 15 universities being told to return money; whether it extends to the rest is the question their universities’ pre-action letter is designed to force.
Twelve universities paid £440,000 to monitor students’ social media
An investigation has found twelve universities paid nearly £440,000 to firms monitoring students’ social media posts, with King’s College London accused of paying a security company to watch pro-Palestine students. Universities that monitor students are processing personal data, and a subject access request is the route to find out what is held about you.
“I caught meningitis after a house party”
A Glasgow student who contracted meningitis in his first year describes how quickly it moved and says he was lucky there was no wider outbreak. His account is worth reading alongside last month’s deaths at Kent: the early symptoms are indistinguishable from a bad hangover, which is exactly why students wait too long. GP registration and staying healthy covers being registered before you need it.
A marathon a day, on a year abroad
A Birmingham student ran a marathon a day for charity while on a year abroad. Absurd, admirable, and a reminder that a year abroad has more room in it than a normal academic year — which is the argument for planning something for it. The year abroad covers the rest.