Students get a route to complain to the regulator about free speech
The Office for Students has amended its free speech guidance, retreating from some of the absolutist positions in the draft, ahead of its free speech complaints scheme opening on 1 September. From that date a student, a society or a member of staff who believes a university has unlawfully restricted lawful speech can complain to the regulator directly rather than only through the university’s own process.
Which degrees Reform UK would take loans away from
A breakdown of the courses Reform UK’s education spokesperson has said would lose access to student loans, set against what those courses actually lead to in work. Suella Braverman said students wanting to study them “would need to fund them privately”. No course is affected today, and any such change would need legislation, but it is worth knowing which subjects are being named. Student finance explained covers eligibility as it stands.
The case for the foundation year
A piece arguing that foundation years do the job they are meant to do — giving students who did not take a conventional route the confidence and the academic habits to handle a degree — at a time when their funding is under review. If you are starting one this year, it counts as a full year of student finance entitlement, which is the detail people miss.