July - September 2009

In line with the launch of the sponsorship management system for Tier 4 of the points-based system on 5th October 2009, the UK Border Agency has announced new policy for Tier 4 sponsors and would-be students.

The ninth "Patterns of higher education institutions in the UK" report has been launched by Universities UK.

HEFCE, on behalf of the four UK higher education funding bodies, has launched a consultation on the successor to the RAE

The programme is launched for the International Conference on Professional Doctorates.

The review will seek to ensure that the system remains robust, recommending any improvements which would continue to support the comparability of academic standards and meet future challenges.

Times Higher Education report on the possibility of Roberts funding winding up.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) has confirmed that it will be funding over 1200 new post-graduate research students allowing them to undertake either a Masters or a PhD in some aspects of arts and humanities research.

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) in the US has reported that the enrolment of new students at US Graduate Schools grew faster for domestic than international in 2008.

A pioneering MoU has been signed between Research Councils UK (RCUK) and FAPESP, the Research Council for the State of São Paulo, strengthening existing valuable research links between the UK and Brazil.

New report provides an overview of known evaluation activity relating to researcher training and development, mapped against the RTIF

Iain Cameron at Research Councils UK has warned universities not to expect specific funding earmarked for the so-called Roberts agenda after the next comprehensive spending review.

HESA's destination of leavers survey from the 2004-05 cohort reveals a quarter of graduates are not in full time employment and holders of postgraduate degrees are more likely to be in work.

THE analysis shows that more people applied for grants in 2008-09 than ever before but significantly fewer grants were handed out.

Research Councils UK (RCUK) has published links to where information on success rates sits on each Research Council's website.

Offers of admission from U.S. graduate schools to prospective international students decreased 3% from 2008 to 2009

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has changed its Tier 4 student policy guidance for students students with International Baccalaureate qualifications

New details have emerged about the AHRC/ESRC Public Policy Fellowships Pilot scheme.

Research Councils UK (RCUK) have launched a new policy document setting out clear guidance on best practice for researchers.

The draft 2010 RCUK Large Facilities Roadmap is now available for consultation.

The findings of the International Review of Chemistry Research in the UK carried out by a panel of international experts in April 2009 has been published as part of a series of international reviews organised by EPSRC in partnership with learned societies to provide an independent assessment of the quality and impact of UK research.

Poster Contributions are being called for at the International Conference on Professional Doctorates, taking place in London in November 2009.

Vitae publish the results of the informal consultation held in January 2009.

A new report from UUK highlights how study at doctoral level will provide the high level skills needed to help drive our economy in a post-recession environment.

ESRC reports back on a year that has been both challenging and rewarding and emphasises clear strategy for choices and priorities in the coming year.

The British Library is running a series of specialist training days for new postgraduates.

Launched at the World Conference of Science Journalists in London, "Impacts: Success in Shaping Public Policy and Services" celebrates the impact of research.

To be read in conjunction with individual Research Councils' reports, RCUK maps progress against objectives