The Wonkhe Show

Team Wonkhe

Every week the Wonkhe team and guests from across higher education dissect the week's big policy developments, and we also feature views from around the sector.

  1. Banned algorithms, schools curriculum, Wales student finance

    15 HR AGO

    Banned algorithms, schools curriculum, Wales student finance

    This week on the podcast we examine the Office for Students’ (OfS) renewed scrutiny of degree classification algorithms and what it means for confidence in standards. We explore the balance between institutional autonomy, transparency for students and employers, and the evidence regulators will expect. Plus we discuss the government’s response to the Francis review of curriculum and assessment in England, and the Welsh government’s plan to lift the undergraduate fee cap in 2026–27 to align with England with a 2 per cent uplift to student support. With Alex Stanley, Vice President for Higher Education of the National Union of Students, Michelle Morgan, Dean of Students at the University of East London, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe. Algorithms aren’t the problem. It’s the classification system they support The Office for Students steps on to shaky ground in an attempt to regulate academic standards Universities in England can’t ignore the curriculum (and students) that are coming Diamond’s a distant memory as Wales plays inflation games with fees and maintenance What we still need to talk about when it comes to the LLE

    33 min
  2. Public attitudes, housing, employability

    30 OCT

    Public attitudes, housing, employability

    This week on the podcast we discuss fresh polling on public attitudes to UK universities, which shows how a widening graduate/non-graduate divide and sharper political splits are fuelling worries about degree quality and whether universities are focused on the country’s interests. Plus we discuss the housing crunch – the new Renters’ Rights Act, warnings on missed housebuilding targets, and what a forthcoming statement of expectations on student accommodation could require of providers working with local authorities. And we explore employability insights from new research – the language gap between university “attributes” and real job adverts, and how to recognise skills students gain beyond the curriculum. With Ben Ward, CEO at the University of Manchester Students’ Union, Johnny Rich, Chief Executive at the Engineering Professors’ Council and Push, Livia Scott, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. Student accommodation – a tale of two cities, and 2point4 students The Renters’ Rights Act is out of the oven, but the student housing market is still cooked Shared Institutions: The public’s view on the role of universities in national and local life / More in Common and UCL Policy Lab AGCAS: Uncovering Skills Employability: degrees of value / Johnny Rich

    54 min
  3. Skills White Paper special

    20 OCT

    Skills White Paper special

    This week on the podcast we get across the Westminster government’s post-16 white paper – its headline target of two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning by 25, the plan to index the undergraduate fee cap to inflation (with TEF-linked eligibility), the maintenance package holding to the status quo, and a push for institutional specialisation via research funding alongside changes to access, participation, and regulation. We ask whether these levers add up – will automatic indexation and selective controls actually stabilise university finances while widening opportunity, or do TEF-conditioned fee rises, classroom-based foundation year limits, and OfS expansion risk new “cold spots”, tighter choice, and a tougher deal on student maintenance? Plus we discuss the proposed international student levy and quid-pro-quo on quality; tougher franchising rules and agent oversight; a “statement of expectations” on student accommodation; governance and TPS pressures; and much much more. With Debbie McVitty, Editor, Wonkhe, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor, Wonkhe, Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor, Wonkhe, Michael Salmon, News Editor, Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief, Wonkhe. What is in the post-16 education and skills white paper for higher education?

    53 min
  4. Wales, Franchising, Graduate Jobs

    16 OCT

    Wales, Franchising, Graduate Jobs

    This week on the podcast we look at Wales’ emerging higher education settlement, as Universities Wales publishes its manifesto for the May 2026 Senedd elections amid polling that points to a potential Plaid-led administration. Plus we discuss new Office for Students’ data on subcontracted (franchised) provision showing weaker continuation, completion and progression outcomes relative to sector averages, and assess the Institute of Student Employers’ latest survey, with graduate hiring down overall but highly variable by sector amid persistently high applications per vacancy. With Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, Sarah Cowan, Head of Policy (Higher Education and Research) at the British Academy, Sarah Stevens, Director of Strategy at the Russell Group and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. Universities Wales election manifesto Outcomes data for subcontracted provision Graduate jobs and recruitment reality

    48 min
  5. Student protest, TNE, Tory conference

    9 OCT

    Student protest, TNE, Tory conference

    This week on the podcast as pro-Palestinian student protests mark the anniversary of October 7, an intervention from Keir Starmer sparks a national debate on campus safety, antisemitism, and free speech. Plus the Prime Minister is leading a trade delegation to India alongside sector leaders, we explore the growing opportunities in transnational education and ask whether UK universities are ready for a TNE surge – and at Conservative Party Conference, Kemi Badenoch announces plans to slash student numbers and redirect funding. With Jess Lister, Director (Education) at Public First, Liz Hutchinson, Chief Executive at London Higher, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and hosted by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe. OfS rebalances the free speech/harassment see-saw on antisemitism Conservatives have a poor quality higher education policy A TNE policy primer for anyone seeking new funding streams

    36 min
  6. Labour Conference 2025

    2 OCT

    Labour Conference 2025

    This week on the podcast, as the dust settles on Labour conference in Liverpool, we unpack what Keir Starmer’s new higher education participation target really means – and whether universities have the capacity and funding to meet the moment. We also get into the surprise return of targeted maintenance grants – funded controversially by the levy on international student fees, and we reflect on the wider political atmosphere at the conference – from policy signals to sector perceptions, and what all this might tell us about Labour’s emerging offer and forthcoming White Paper. With Gary Hughes, Chief Executive at Durham Students’ Union, Eve Alcock, Director of Public Affairs at QAA, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and hosted by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. The PM’s announcement on higher level participation is a win for the HE sector The fifty per cent participation target is no more. Again. Grants return, the levy stays Maybe the levy just moves money to where it’s needed most The Augar review is back, baby. Just don’t about talk yourself Students are being othered again – and everyone loses out Have universities got the capacity and cash to respond to the government’s agenda? How much should the new maintenance grant be? Universities should be central to rebuilding communities Students are working harder than ever – because they have to I have a lot of questions about the LLE Who’s ready for a debate at 930am on a Sunday? The education policy trap: will the Augar review avoid the mistakes of the past?

    51 min
  7. Sexual misconduct, international levy, closures

    25 SEPT

    Sexual misconduct, international levy, closures

    This week on the podcast we examine the results of the Office for Students’ first sector-wide survey on sexual misconduct. With over 50,000 responses from final-year undergraduates, the data provides a stark picture of prevalence, reporting, and staff-student relationships in higher education. But with only sector-level results released, questions remain about transparency, accountability, and the regulator’s approach to such a sensitive issue. Plus we discuss the politics and potential consequences of a proposed levy on international student fees – a policy idea that could reshape funding, recruitment, and the UK’s global competitiveness. And we take stock of warnings from the Institute of Physics about possible closures of departments and courses, asking what this says about funding for high-cost subjects and the sector’s capacity to manage contraction and change. With Charlotte Corrish, Head of Public Policy at the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, Mark Bennett, Vice President Research and Insight at Keystone Education Group, and David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe. The “regulatory burden” on sexual misconduct needs to lift the weight from students What OfS’ data on harassment and sexual misconduct doesn’t tell us IOP: Quarter of UK university physics departments risk closure as funding crisis bites Public First: Counting the cost – Modelling the economic impact of a potential levy on international student fees

    34 min
  8. Quality reforms, duty of candour, skills

    18 SEPT

    Quality reforms, duty of candour, skills

    This week on the podcast we examine the Office for Students' proposed overhaul of England's quality system, as radical reforms seek to integrate the Teaching Excellence Framework with minimum standards and give TEF some serious teeth. Plus we discuss the government's long-awaited "Hillsborough law" as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill imposes new duties of candour on universities, and examine the machinery of government changes that have seen apprenticeships policy and Skills England transferred from the Department for Education to Pat McFadden's expanded Department for Work and Pensions. With Andrea Turley, Partner at KPMG, Shane Chowen, Editor at FE Week, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. TEF6: the incredible machine takes over quality assurance regulation Reputation versus sunlight – universities and the new duty of candour What Ofsted inspections reveal about university leadership and culture A machinery of government muddle over skills The former student leaders entering Parliament

    42 min
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4.3
out of 5
75 Ratings

About

Every week the Wonkhe team and guests from across higher education dissect the week's big policy developments, and we also feature views from around the sector.

Information

  • Creator
    Team Wonkhe
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    280
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Wonkhe.com
  • Show Website
    The Wonkhe Show

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