The Wonkhe Show

Secret life of students/AI special

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast recorded live at The Secret Life of Students, new Wonkhe research has found that nearly half of students worry their grades d...

Immigration brake, social cohesion, research capital

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Home Office has announced an "emergency brake" on student visas from four countries, suspending all grants to applicants ...

Renting, TNE, disability

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast students are still struggling with the cost and quality of renting – so will the new Renters' Rights Act actually make thin...

Student finance, graduate premium, mental health

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government has struggled to defend its position on Plan 2 student loans in a Westminster Hall debate as opposition partie...

Student group claim, PRES, high streets

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast UCL has settled with the Student Group Claim over pandemic-era teaching disruptions – but with 36 more universities now fac...

MI5, Labour, free speech

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast MI5 has warned universities that UK higher education has become a "prime target for foreign states and hostile actors" – so...

Student loans, research funding, Wales

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast student finance has exploded into the headlines – but is the English student loan system really doomed? Backbench Labour MP...

Demand, Disabled students, medicine

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 rep...

International, UCAS data, student finance

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government has finally unveiled its new International Education Strategy – but with no headline target for internationa...

Free speech, Scottish budget, Mickey Mouse

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 proportio...

Erasmus+, student loans, Rhineland study tour

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 tha...

REF 2029, franchising crackdown, year in review

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine what the rebooted 2029 Research Excellence Framework will mean for universities’ research strategies, research c...

AI, uni finances, civic

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast artificial intelligence remains front and centre, with a look at the growing concerns around AI-generated teaching content an...

Budget, R&D, Scotland’s Tertiary Bill

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine how Budget 2025 reshapes the university funding model – from the international levy and modest new maintenance g...

Reform UK, local skills, students at work

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine what the rise of Reform UK – and new insight into its prospective voters – might mean for universities, intern...

Access, governance, festival vibes

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast, live from our Festival in London, we discuss access and social mobility as the Office for Students reshuffles its leadership...

Banned algorithms, schools curriculum, Wales student finance

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine the Office for Students’ (OfS) renewed scrutiny of degree classification algorithms and what it means for confid...

Public attitudes, housing, employability

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Skills White Paper special

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 hig...

Wales, Franchising, Graduate Jobs

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we look at Wales’ emerging higher education settlement, as Universities Wales publishes its manifesto for the May 2026 Sene...

Student protest, TNE, Tory conference

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast as pro-Palestinian student protests mark the anniversary of October 7, an intervention from Keir Starmer sparks a national de...

Labour Conference 2025

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast, as the dust settles on Labour conference in Liverpool, we unpack what Keir Starmer’s new higher education participation ta...

Sexual misconduct, international levy, closures

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 response...

Quality reforms, duty of candour, skills

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 T...

Mergers, reshuffle

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine the bombshell merger announcement between the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent, set to create th...

Podcast: Year ahead, International, Governance

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine the challenges facing UK higher education as another tough academic year begins with government finances stretched...

AI and jobs, provider closure, UCAS figures

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on our final podcast before the summer break, we unpack the mounting panic about graduate jobs – is AI really to blame, or are today’s s...

Student experience, LLE, civic

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine proposals for transforming the student experience as The Post-18 Project calls for a Student Rights Bill and a com...

International, student leaders, metascience

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine the latest attacks on international student recruitment as Policy Exchange calls for new restrictions and a £1,00...

Industrial strategy, cashpoint colleges, social mobility

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine the government’s new industrial strategy and what it really means for higher education – from regional cluster...

Free speech guidance, R&D

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine the Office for Students' new free speech guidance as controversial requirements prepare to take effect from August...

Spending review, Tooling Up, REF, students at work

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine the government's spending review and what it means for higher education. How will the £86bn R&D commitment transl...

Efficiency, EDI, speed

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine Universities UK's efficiency and transformation taskforce report. What do shared back-office services, federation ...

Governance, apprenticeships, trends

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine the OfS penalty imposed on Leeds Trinity over subcontractual partnerships oversight. What does the £115,000 fine ...

Cuts, student suicide, widening access

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we examine the government's brutal funding cuts to universities. What does the £108m reduction in the Strategic Priorities G...

Immigration white paper, Jacqui Smith

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we get across the government's new immigration white paper. What does cutting the graduate route visa from two years to 18 mo...

Finances and cuts, VC pay

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we discuss the Office for Students' financial sustainability report. What do widespread course closures and maintenance cutba...

Dundee, student health, international

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we discuss the financial crisis at the University of Dundee, as a revised recovery plan reduces proposed job cuts while reque...

Portugal special

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the SUs team has been on a study tour to universities in Lisbon in Portugal, and have reflections on everything from space to...

Easter special

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Regret, provider collapse, WP

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 curren...

Sussex fine, franchising

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 speec...

Scotland, Secret life of Students

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Sc...

Free speech, graduates, student finance

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

OfS chair, employment, skills

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

New leaders, Gen-AI, Visas

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Wales cuts, mental health, regulation

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Welsh government has announced £18.5m in additional capital funding for universities - but questions remain over reserve...

REF people and culture, spending review, apprenticeships

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast universities failing to promote diversity will face funding cuts – so said The Times. We chat through the controversy build...

Protection, visas, commuter students

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Lord...

Cuts, applications, campus climate

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast as news of further redundancies sweeps the sector, we ask how bad things can get before the government will act or the public...

Funding, attendance, student hardship

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Minister of State for Skills Jacqui Smith helped launch a pamphlet on whether universities are “worth it” - and was notab...

Free speech, uni finances, regional inequality

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government is to press on with implementing parts of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 while seeking to r...

Visegrad special

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Jim, Mack and team are on a bus around the Visegrad countries where they’ve been exploring student experience, representati...

Special: Writing for Wonkhe

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special seasonal edition of the Wonkhe Show, we discuss how you can contribute to the higher education debate by writing for the site, the imp...

Students at work, transfers, spending review

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on our final proper show before the break, we’ve published polling on students experience of earning while learning - is a return to “fu...

OfS, international, Wales, Scotland

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there’s budget news from both Wales and Scotland - why are governments finding it so hard to stick to commitments on studen...

Skills, PTES, transformation

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government is to “get Britain working” - but what role will higher education play in the plans? Plus there are big di...

Financial sustainability, cold spots, student housing

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the sector’s financial woes continue - just how bad is it and are regulators on top of the problem? Plus there’s a new re...

Labour’s agenda, OfS, regional APPs

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast live from the Festival of Higher Education in London, England is grappling with Labour’s longer-term aspirations for higher...

Fees increase, efficiency, Trump

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Westminster government has announced a fee increase - but will it be enough, and can universities even impose it?Plus the...

Budget, student finance, consumer rights

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we pore over Rachel Reeves’ first budget and consider the implications for universities. We also think about students’ fi...

Student numbers, budget, international, VC pay

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast student numbers are set to decline in England after 2030 - we discuss the implications. Plus rumours are swirling over next w...

Graduate jobs, sexual misconduct, NSS analysis

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we look at the latest graduate recruitment trends as the Institute of Student Employers reveals a 60 per cent surge in applic...

Mental health, renters’ reform, international strategy

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast it’s possible to predict a student’s wellbeing using mental health analytics - but what are the ethics and implications? ...

Blueprint, fees increase, Brussels

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Universities UK’s much anticipated “blueprint for change” is out – is a new 70 per cent participation target the righ...

Labour, skills, Medr

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Team Wonkhe has been at Labour Conference in Liverpool - we discuss what was and wasn’t said about higher education.Plus th...

Fees and funding, ABA closure, workload

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast bits of the UUK blueprint on funding the sector have emerged - we evaluate what’s emerged so far. Plus we ask whether closu...

Free speech, international applications, social mobility

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast over the summer the government paused implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act - but should it have, an...

Jacqui Smith, franchising, digital divide

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Westminster government has broken its silence on university funding - but did it say anything?Plus OfS has been pitch-rol...

Skills, King’s speech, international foundation years

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on our final show before the summer break, Labour is to introduce a Skills England bill - we discuss what might be in it, and everything els...

New Parliament, NSSmas, academic support

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the new government is shaping up - we check if it’s ship shape. Plus it's been NSSmass so we’ll work out the impact, and ...

Maintenance, postgrad complaints, international

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the party leaders have spoken out on student living cost support - did they have anything to say, and if not why not? Plus th...

Cost of living, public polling, election

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we have new research out on cost of living and its impact on the student experience. With no time, will students get the skil...

Manifestos, academic experience, flirting

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast all the major parties have their manifestos out for the General Election. What's in there for students or universities? Plus ...

Post-election, manifestos, Mickey Mouse

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we talk about potential HE policy after the election – could a tuition fee rise be on the cards in England if Labour wins? ...

General election special

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Rishi Sunak has called a general election for July 4th - so we think about the issues, the pitfalls and landmines for univers...

Graduate route, sector finances

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Migration Advisory Committee’s review of the Graduate route is here - how will the government respond? Plus we take a t...

Campus protest, student income, academic freedom

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast a group of vice chancellors have been called into see Rishi Sunak in a bid to clamp down on student protest. Where does that ...

Franchising, Labour, misogyny, dropping out

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast a parliamentary report calls for changes to regulation on franchising – does it go far enough?Plus the think tanks are circ...

First in family, NUS, hybrid grads

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there’s a new campaign to highlight first-in-family students. Will it shift the dial on public (and political) attitudes to...

Funding, disabled students, nursing

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Department for Education has published its annual funding letter – we work out the size and shape of the cuts. Plus the...

Graduate route, pensions, graduate mobility

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Home Office has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee to review the Graduate route visa - what could be on the ca...

Loneliness, culture wars, HE on TV

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast, live from our Secret Life of Students event in London, we've published new stats and analysis on student loneliness - what c...

Donelan, disconnect, budget

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Science Secretary Michelle Donelan has paid damages to two academics that she falsely accused of supporting Hamas. What next ...

Cost of living, Australia, international

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast only three per cent of students say they feel they have enough money. Do students need to change their expectations?Plus Aust...

Culture wars, Covid compensation, student votes

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government is planning to introduce a “quality seal” for universities evidencing standards in dealing with antisemiti...

Disability discrimination, applications, students at work

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the University of Bristol has lost its appeal over a student suicide case - we discuss the implications. Plus the January dea...

Fees and funding, access, public sector

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast university funding is back in the news as Wales increases fees and the sector puzzles over fixing funding across the UK. Are ...

International students, mental health, students and politics

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast international students have been in the news - but how much of the coverage was unfair, and does the sector have a case to an...

Inspections, Jo Phoenix tribunal, governance

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast OfS has published more inspection reports into Business and Management provision in universities. Is the process and focus ri...

Fraud, market exit, applications, living wage

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the National Audit Office reports on organised crime and fraud in franchise agreements - is the regulation right and are the ...

Baltics and Finland special

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re in Helsinki on the Wonkhe SUs study tour where SU officers and staff from around the UK have been to Latvia, Lithuani...

International, REF delay, stagnation

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our final festive episode of the year we survey the political turmoil over immigration, and consider the impact on university finances.There's also...

Minimum service levels, PTES, graduates and politics, apprenticeships

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government is consulting on minimum service levels in education - what could that mean for industrial action in the secto...

Immigration, Autumn Statement, PGRs

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast - recorded at Advance HE's Governance Conference in London - new immigration figures are out, and we reflect on what they mea...

Reshuffle, inspections, money, data futures

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there's been a Westminster government reshuffle - but does any of it matter to higher education? Plus OfS has been inspecting...

King's speech, food, graduate skills

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast, recorded live at Wonkhe's Festival of HE in London, we discuss the King's speech and politics for higher education in the ru...

Free speech, franchising, NHS training

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Michelle Donelan’s letter to UKRI expressing outrage over “extremism” has been in the news, and Gillian Keegan is beari...

Housing, research culture, international

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Renter’s (Reform) Bill has been in Parliament, and there’s a new report on soaring student rents. Should the sector r...

Student numbers, belonging, Israel/Gaza, social mobility

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast a fresh debate over controlling student numbers in England’s HE system has kicked off. Would doing so damage access?Plus we...