The Wonkhe Show

Team Wonkhe
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  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. Student loans, research funding, Wales

    3D AGO

    Student loans, research funding, Wales

    This week on the podcast student finance has exploded into the headlines – but is the English student loan system really doomed? Backbench Labour MPs are pressing the chancellor to act, polling has revealed widespread antipathy for above-inflation interest rates, and Rachel Reeves has clashed with Martin Lewis over the freeze to repayment thresholds. Now former OfS access tsar John Blake has launched The Post-18 Project, our Wonkhe think tank, by arguing that a review of higher education funding is unavoidable and that a graduate tax should be one of the options. So is the government going to act, or will it be bounced into action? Plus UKRI has found itself in a perfect comms storm over the future of curiosity-driven research funding, and Michael Salmon sits down with Welsh minister Vikki Howells to discuss the challenges facing tertiary education. With Ben Ward, CEO at University of Manchester Students' Union, Smita Jamdar, Partner and Head of Education at Shakespeare Martineau, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, Vikki Howells, Minister for Further and Higher Education in the Senedd and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. The Post-18 Project: A review of higher education funding is inevitable Five challenges faced by the Welsh tertiary sector Maybe a graduate tax wasn’t such a bad idea after all Welsh higher education is running out of wriggle room Wales refuses to implement Westminster’s stealth graduate tax raid Who should pay for our failing student loan system?

    52 min
  2. Demand, Disabled students, medicine

    JAN 29

    Demand, Disabled students, medicine

    This week on the podcast we examine what a rise in UK university applicants really tells us about the future demand for higher education. With UCAS reporting a 4.8 per cent increase in applications at the January deadline, driven largely by a demographic peak in 18-year-olds, we explore whether this represents a genuine resurgence in demand or a temporary population effect. Plus we discuss new evidence on disabled students’ experiences in higher education, including concerns that pandemic-era accessibility is being rolled back, and the implications of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill — from pressure on NHS training places to uncertainty for students studying medicine abroad through UK-linked programmes. And Jim Dickinson is is in Canada with Wonkhe's Editor Debbie McVitty taking to Canadian HE expert Alex Usher. With Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief, Wonkhe, Alex Stanley, Vice President for Higher Education at the National Union of Students, Dani Payne, Head of Education and Social Mobility at the Social Market Foundation, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief, Wonkhe.

    49 min
  3. International, UCAS data, student finance

    JAN 22

    International, UCAS data, student finance

    This week on the podcast the government has finally unveiled its new International Education Strategy – but with no headline target for international student numbers and a clear shift towards education exports, what does it mean for the sector? Plus the latest UCAS end of cycle data and what it reveals about entry qualifications at high tariff providers, and a new NUS campaign on student maintenance that’s turning the spotlight on parents. With Mike Ratcliffe, Senior Advisor at UWE Bristol, Richard Brabner, Visiting Professor of Civic Engagement at Newcastle University, Jen Summerton, Operations Director at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. UCAS End of Cycle, 2025: access and participation UCAS End of Cycle, 2025: provider recruitment strategies Graduates are paying more and getting less A new international education strategy

    49 min
  4. Free speech, Scottish budget, Mickey Mouse

    JAN 15

    Free speech, Scottish budget, Mickey Mouse

    This week on the podcast new polling suggests over a third of students think Reform UK should be banned from speaking on campus – a higher proportion than previous surveys found for the BNP or English Defence League. So what does this tell us about free speech in higher education? Plus Scotland's budget settlement and legislative changes, and unpacking what "Mickey Mouse courses" really means. With Andy Long, Vice Chancellor at Northumbria University, Jess Lister, Director of Education at Public First, and Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor in Chief at Wonkhe. 41 per cent of Reform-voting undergraduates don’t think Reform should be allowed to speak on campus So you’ve been accused of harbouring “Mickey Mouse” courses at your institution… now what? Identifying “mickey mouse” courses Scottish Budget 2026 to 2027

    38 min
  5. Erasmus+, student loans, Rhineland study tour

    JAN 8

    Erasmus+, student loans, Rhineland study tour

    This week on the podcast from Nijmegen on the SUs study tour the team discuss the return of the UK to Eramus+. What steps can UK HE take to ensure that UK students take advantage of and get the benefits of mobility? Plus there’s a Private Members’ Bill on student loan timings, and the team share reflections on the associations, student leaders, curricula and food they’ve seen across Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Switzerland. With Abi Taylor, President at Durham SU, Gary Hughes, CEO at Durham SU, Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. Re-associating with Erasmus+ is only the first step Student Finance (Review of Payment Schedules) Rhineland Study Tour blogs

    1h 12m
  6. REF 2029, franchising crackdown, year in review

    12/11/2025

    REF 2029, franchising crackdown, year in review

    This week on the podcast we examine what the rebooted 2029 Research Excellence Framework will mean for universities’ research strategies, research culture, and future funding – including the new “strategy, people and research environment” element and the renewed focus on contribution to knowledge and understanding through research outputs. Plus we discuss the government’s crackdown on franchised higher education provision and student loan eligibility, and we look back at the defining moments of 2025 in higher education policy – from regulation and finance to admissions, academic freedom and research – and consider what they might signal for universities in 2026 and beyond. With Steph Harris, Director of Policy at Universities UK, Andy Westwood, Professor of Public Policy, Government and Business at the University of Manchester, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. On the site: Re-thinking research support for English universities: Research England’s programme of work during the REF 2029 pause Everything you need to know about REF 2029 Study a Bachelors DEGREE without paying a single penny? You’re on Weekend courses can’t get student loans Sub-contractual providers need to register with OfS You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify, Acast, Amazon Music, Deezer, RadioPublic, Podchaser, Castbox, Player FM, Stitcher,

    59 min
  7. AI, uni finances, civic

    12/04/2025

    AI, uni finances, civic

    This week on the podcast artificial intelligence remains front and centre, with a look at the growing concerns around AI-generated teaching content and the student backlash it's prompted. We also discuss our new project with Kortext on AI in pedagogy and an emerging debate over AI’s place in the REF process. Plus we explore the financial strategies universities in England are adopting in response to mounting pressures, and what does a more ambitious civic university agenda look like in 2025? With James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, Jo Heaton-Marriott, Managing Director at the Authentic Partnership, Jonathan Simons, Partner and Head of the Education Practice at Public First and hosted by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe. The end of pretend – AI and the case for universities of formation High quality learning means developing and upskilling educators on the pedagogy of AI Counting the cost of financial challenges in English higher education Civic 2.0 – the civic university agenda but with sustainable impact

    37 min
  8. Budget, R&D, Scotland’s Tertiary Bill

    11/27/2025

    Budget, R&D, Scotland’s Tertiary Bill

    This week on the podcast we examine how Budget 2025 reshapes the university funding model – from the international levy and modest new maintenance grants, to confirmed tuition fee uplifts and changes to pension tax arrangements that will affect institutional costs. We discuss what the package tells us about the government’s approach to public finances, the politics of international recruitment, and the sustainability of cross-subsidy in a tight fiscal environment for higher education. Plus we discuss research and innovation announcements and get across debate in Holyrood on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill. With Ken Sloan, Vice-Chancellor and CEO at Harper Adams University, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. Budget 2025 for universities and students Universities now need to be much clearer about the total cost of a course Student finance changes in the budget – Director’s cut Reclassification ghosts and jam tomorrow at stage 2 of Scotland’s tertiary bill A government running out of road still sets the economic weather for higher education A change in approach means research may never be the same again

    48 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    290
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Wonkhe.com
  • Show Website
    The Wonkhe Show

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