The Wonkhe Show

Apr 09 2025 257 ep. 43 mins 465

The Wonkhe Show Podcast artwork

Every week the Wonkhe team and guests from across higher education dissect the week's big policy developments, and we also feature interviews, features and views from around the sector. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Government News

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Easter special

Apr 09 2025 43 mins

This week on the podcast it’s our Easter special – and we’re diving into the highlights from The Secret Life of Students, our event that looked at a new vision for the student experience.We hear from student officers, sector experts, and campaigners on everything from the myth of the full-time model, to the pressures of placements, to the problems faced by international stude

Regret, provider collapse, WP

Apr 03 2025 47 mins

This week on the podcast we discuss new research on student regret, as a report from the University of Bristol reveals that while two-thirds of current undergraduates are happy with their choice of degree, it drops to less than half among recent graduates. Are improved advice and guidance really the answer?Plus we look at the collapse of the Advanced Business Academy (ABA) and its

Sussex fine, franchising

Mar 27 2025 40 mins

This week on the podcast we're discussing the Office for Students fine of £585,000 levied against the University of Sussex for breaches of free speech conditions, as vice chancellor Sasha Roseneil calls the process "Kafka-esque" and plans a legal challenge.Plus we examine what Bridget Phillipson has called "one of the biggest financial scandals universities have faced" – franchi

Scotland, Secret life of Students

Mar 18 2025 45 mins

This week on the podcast - recorded live at our Secret Life of Students event in London - we get across the financial crisis facing universities in Scotland. Can the SNP hold its “free education” line forever?Plus there’s clips, highlights and reflections from our Secret life of Students event in London - where we’ve been discussing student health, students at work, what st

Free speech, graduates, student finance

Mar 13 2025 32 mins

This week on the podcast free speech tsar Arif Ahmed is back as the government presses ahead with the free speech act - we get across the implications. Plus there’s new analysis on how graduates’ importance to the government’s industrial strategy, and we take a closer look at the inequalities baked into student maintenance support.With Julian Gravatt, Deputy Chief Execut

OfS chair, employment, skills

Mar 06 2025 43 mins

This week on the podcast Nottingham Trent VC Edward Peck has been confirmed as the government’s candidate for Chair of OfS. But what does his focus on “quality improvement” and engagement with governing bodies mean for the regulator’s approach—and how will his skepticism of government bailouts impact struggling institutions?Meanwhile, as the Employment Rights Bill sees si

New leaders, Gen-AI, Visas

Feb 27 2025 33 mins

This week on the podcast UK Research and Innovation and the Office for Students both have new leadership – but what does that mean for the future of regulation, research funding, and sector confidence?Meanwhile, a new report reveals a dramatic rise in student use of generative AI, and as speculation swirls over potential changes to post-study work visas, the sector braces for fur

Wales cuts, mental health, regulation

Feb 20 2025 47 mins

This week on the podcast the Welsh government has announced £18.5m in additional capital funding for universities - but questions remain over reserves, job cuts, competition law and student protection. Meanwhile, new research reveals student mental health difficulties have tripled in the past seven years, and Universities UK warns that OfS’ new strategy risks expanding regulator

REF people and culture, spending review, apprenticeships

Feb 13 2025 42 mins

This week on the podcast universities failing to promote diversity will face funding cuts – so said The Times. We chat through the controversy building around the REF. Plus we look at what the sector is asking for in the spending review, and consider the government’s push for lower-level, shorter apprenticeships.With Shitij Kapur, Vice Chancellor and President at King's College

Protection, visas, commuter students

Feb 06 2025 54 mins

This week on the podcast OfS is introducing new protections for some students - but will they come fast enough and who will they apply to? Plus a Lords committee says UK visa policy for scientists and researchers is an “act of national self-harm”, and we’ve launched a new article series on commuter students.With Omar Khan, Chief Executive at TASO, Charlotte Corrish, Head of P