This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust is a best practice guide aiming to lead the way for universities looking to address advancing social mobility. Universities have a powerful role in addressing low social mobility. Despite rising numbers of students attending university overall, there is still a 20-percentage point gap in university access...

This report from UK think tank City-REDI examines the geographic inequalities in young people who are not in employment, education or training across the UK. This report argues that the UK's rising NEET rate is not just a youth skills or health issue, but a geographical and economic one, with large differences between local areas...

This report from UK think tank HEPI sets out four potential scenarios for how the sector might resolve its financial challenges. English universities face ‘unstable hybrid’ future as funding model collapses faster than predicted, warns new report. English higher education is heading into a future nobody planned, according to a new paper from the Higher...

This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust examines the new Cabinet's education backgrounds. Andy Burnham is the new Prime Minister, and he has now appointed his cabinet. Here we look at their education backgrounds. At 72%, the majority of the new cabinet went to state comprehensives. 24% attended private schools. This new cabinet...

This report from UK think tank examines careers provisions available to UK PhD students. A new report published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) examines careers provisions available to UK PhD students. Supporting PhD students into a wide range of careers, both academic and non-academic will benefit the UK economy, in particular the research...

This report from UK think tank the Fabian Society analyses the drivers of the teacher workforce crisis and the impact that it has on pupils and public finances. Teaching is a fantastic vocation, which offers the opportunity to change lives. However, the education system is currently experiencing a retention crisis, with the number of teachers...

This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust considers approaches, prevalence, current debates and evaluations surrounding contextual admissions in the UK. Contextual admissions refers to universities considering a student’s individual circumstances and background to understand their potential for higher education. It acknowledges systemic barriers, such as time in care or attending under-resourced schools, that...

This report from UK think tank HEPI explores the benefits and costs of international higher education students to the UK economy. International students who began higher education courses in the UK in 2024/25 are expected to generate a net economic benefit of £40.4 billion for the UK over the course of their studies, according to...

This report from UK think tank HEPI calls for a partnership accountability framework to protect students and standards. A new HEPI Policy Note by Vicki Stott, A partnership accountability framework for a more resilient higher education sector (HEPI Policy Note 73), warns that rapid growth in franchised and other partnership provision is colliding with financial...

This report from Nesta explores integrating early education with family support in England and Scotland. Nesta commissioned Isos Partnership to run an exploratory study of current and ideal levels and types of service integration between ECEC/ELC and wider family support. The report seeks to fill the knowledge gap by drawing on evidence from nine local...

This report from UK think tank City-REDI evaluates career coaching for young people at risk of being NEET. PfPP2 provided career coaching and mentoring, group career readiness sessions and employer engagement for 102 young people identified at risk of becoming NEET(not in education, employment or training) in Year 10 in five East Birmingham secondary schools....

This report from UK think tank HEPI states that paid work has become part of the student experience. 9 in 10 students expect to work during term time – a new report shows paid jobs are now the norm. 87% of applicants expect to work during term time, with a third expecting to work over...

This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust explores how gender, ethnicity and place shape opportunity. Our Opportunity Index provided the most detailed ever look at the geography of opportunity and social mobility in England, revealing great disparities between different areas. However, we also know that average outcomes can hide important differences across gender...

This report from UK think tank HEPI states that transport connectivity should play a greater role in how the UK assesses research investment. A new HEPI Report published today says transport connectivity should play a greater role in how the UK assesses research investment. World‑class research capabilities exist across the whole UK, yet poor physical...

This report from UK think tank HEPI reveals young undergraduates' views on a range of topical issues. New polling of young undergraduates from the Higher Education Policy Institute reveals young undergraduates views on a range of topical issues, including: abortion limits; the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs (AI); diversity quotas; nuclear disarmament; reparations for...

Universities must find ways to cultivate a sense of belonging amongst students By Alexis Brown (HEPI) It’s no secret that students have had a rough time of it during the pandemic. Those who weren’t in university yet missed out on the standardised tests and schooling that would normally prepare them for higher education, and those...