The students communication revolution-by Justin Shaw

The way that higher education institutions communicate with their current students is irrevocably altered forever thanks to the pandemic. Out of the flames that have destroyed ‘business as usual’ comes the phoenix of smarter, better, more astute provider-to-student communications. The pre-2020 house style for HEIs informing (and – only occasionally – engaging with) students about […]

The governance of independent providers matters

Innovative approaches to higher education call for innovative approaches to governance. Smita Jamdar and Robin Middlehurst introduce Independent HE’s first steps. It is not unusual for governance to be dismissed as distant from the real action of teaching, learning and professional practice, or regarded as an unnecessary burden and overhead for hard-pressed institutions and their […]

IHE Policy Live 2020

IHE Policy Live 2020  Over three days in October IHE brought together nearly 300 participants and almost 40 speakers to deliver an online event which was to all intents and purposes our 2020 annual conference – but not as we know it, Jim! As we curated the event, we were acutely aware of the challenges […]

Return to the Campus: Planning for Health and Safety

As higher education providers plan for re-opening their operations they face a balancing act between safeguarding their employees, students and others affected by their activities and wanting to operate in functional buildings. The Law and Guidance The overarching requirements of health and safety law have not changed. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act […]

Consumer protection and students – Where are we now?

Unsurprisingly, given the widespread disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis, there is currently a great deal of attention on students’ rights as consumers, with numerous public statements on the point from ministers and regulators. How best should institutions mitigate the risk of claims or complaints in this area? The law For students who accepted the […]

We’re not “alternative providers”, we’re higher education’s SMEs

This blog, authored by IHE’s Chief Executive, Alexander Proudfoot, was first published on the Wonkhe website.   ‘Tis the season for manifestos, after the surprise calling of the first winter general election in 45 years generated a blizzard of rapid policy prescriptions from industry and professional bodies. Independent HE has taken a little longer because […]

Independent providers left behind by Augar

This blog, authored by IHE’s Chief Executive, Alexander Proudfoot, was first published on the Wonkhe website. We welcomed the Post-18 Review last year. It promised to rebalance a tertiary education system which has sometimes seemed shaped by history rather than by what individual students need. Our members told us first hand of the difficulties they […]

Let’s go fly a kite: International

This blog, co-authored by IHE’s Director of Policy and Development, Joy Elliott-Bowman, was first published on the Wonkhe website.   Multiple-level study visas Joy Elliott-Bowman – Director of Policy and Development, Independent Higher Education For every course an international student wishes to study in the UK they will need to apply for a new visa. […]