Michael Salmon
@michaelsalmon0.bsky.social
News Editor at Wonkhe
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: Stephen Roper and Tim Vorley present new survey findings showing how financial sustainability concerns are reshaping university behaviour buff.ly/3L8jj25
December 2, 2025 at 7:05 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: Stephen Roper and Tim Vorley present new survey findings showing how financial sustainability concerns are reshaping university behaviour buff.ly/3L8jj25
Reposted by Michael Salmon
'Without judgement, abundance is useless.' Thoughtful longread from @jimdickinson.bsky.social about how AI is stripping things away to uncover what is actually valuable about higher education
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-en...
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-en...
The end of pretend – AI and the case for universities of formation
Jim Dickinson reflects on the end of scarcity, the rise of AI, and the challenge to a system of higher education built on pretence, performance and proxies Jim Dickinson reflects on the end of scarcit...
wonkhe.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:17 AM
'Without judgement, abundance is useless.' Thoughtful longread from @jimdickinson.bsky.social about how AI is stripping things away to uncover what is actually valuable about higher education
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-en...
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-en...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
Here we go: wonkhe.com/blogs/budget...
Budget 2025 for universities and students
Team Wonkhe unpacks an unusually consequential Budget for higher education, as a complex mix of fee rises, international student levies, and stealth costs for graduates reshape the sector’s financial ...
wonkhe.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Here we go: wonkhe.com/blogs/budget...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: Ahead of an evidence paper and call for submissions, Minister for Further and Higher Education Vikki Howells sets out her understanding of the key challenges faced by higher education in Wales buff.ly/gbquzUM
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: Ahead of an evidence paper and call for submissions, Minister for Further and Higher Education Vikki Howells sets out her understanding of the key challenges faced by higher education in Wales buff.ly/gbquzUM
Reposted by Michael Salmon
Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of Ponteland College of Education
I think this may have been associated with what is now Northumbria University; the site itself is now housing, judging by google maps
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
I think this may have been associated with what is now Northumbria University; the site itself is now housing, judging by google maps
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of Ponteland College of Education
I think this may have been associated with what is now Northumbria University; the site itself is now housing, judging by google maps
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
I think this may have been associated with what is now Northumbria University; the site itself is now housing, judging by google maps
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: Are level 6 apprenticeships next? buff.ly/eFIhtwN
November 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM
NEW on Wonkhe: Are level 6 apprenticeships next? buff.ly/eFIhtwN
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: The sector’s financial health is ever more intertwined with decisions around public spending, borrowing, taxation and the labour market. Michael Salmon thinks about the big picture ahead of the Budget buff.ly/pYcZ3UO
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: The sector’s financial health is ever more intertwined with decisions around public spending, borrowing, taxation and the labour market. Michael Salmon thinks about the big picture ahead of the Budget buff.ly/pYcZ3UO
Reposted by Michael Salmon
This week on Wonkhe: New Skills England guidance provides the detail for the white paper’s vision of a coherent skills system. Michael Salmon assesses whether it could work
Labour takes steps to bring higher education and local skills closer together
New Skills England guidance provides the detail for the white paper’s vision of a coherent skills system. Michael Salmon assesses whether it could work New Skills England guidance provides the detail...
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
This week on Wonkhe: New Skills England guidance provides the detail for the white paper’s vision of a coherent skills system. Michael Salmon assesses whether it could work
Reposted by Michael Salmon
I’ve also written about @qmul.bsky.social on my blog for @wonkhe.bsky.social today
wonkhe.com/blogs/higher...
wonkhe.com/blogs/higher...
Higher education postcard: Queen Mary University of London
This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag takes us to jellied eel territory This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag takes us to jellied eel territory
wonkhe.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I’ve also written about @qmul.bsky.social on my blog for @wonkhe.bsky.social today
wonkhe.com/blogs/higher...
wonkhe.com/blogs/higher...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: Amendments are in on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill buff.ly/AtwIBSz
November 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: Amendments are in on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill buff.ly/AtwIBSz
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: New Skills England guidance provides the detail for the white paper’s vision of a coherent skills system. Michael Salmon assesses whether it could work buff.ly/Dtpbg0t
November 19, 2025 at 7:05 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: New Skills England guidance provides the detail for the white paper’s vision of a coherent skills system. Michael Salmon assesses whether it could work buff.ly/Dtpbg0t
Reposted by Michael Salmon
There are some great new providers, but somehow the risk-based framework has allowed systemic failures in quality assurance in some OfS registered providers.
These case studies are just awful.
www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-an...
These case studies are just awful.
www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-an...
Student protection - PI112501
This case summary about Brit College illustrates the impact on individual students where there is a gap in student protection.
www.oiahe.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 9:24 AM
There are some great new providers, but somehow the risk-based framework has allowed systemic failures in quality assurance in some OfS registered providers.
These case studies are just awful.
www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-an...
These case studies are just awful.
www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-an...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
It’s ten whole years since Government committed to remove barriers to new entrants as providers and to have a risk-based framework.
There are students paying back loans for courses they were unable to complete because their colleges were (at best) negligent.
wonkhe.com/blogs/studen...
There are students paying back loans for courses they were unable to complete because their colleges were (at best) negligent.
wonkhe.com/blogs/studen...
Student protection is needed in all higher-level learning
For Charlotte Corrish, the government’s new ambitions for higher-level participation must be accompanied by all students having access to the same safeguards For Charlotte Corrish, the government’s ne...
wonkhe.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:20 AM
It’s ten whole years since Government committed to remove barriers to new entrants as providers and to have a risk-based framework.
There are students paying back loans for courses they were unable to complete because their colleges were (at best) negligent.
wonkhe.com/blogs/studen...
There are students paying back loans for courses they were unable to complete because their colleges were (at best) negligent.
wonkhe.com/blogs/studen...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
Great piece - understands policy context and asks the right questions about what that means for the university and the city.
NEW on Wonkhe: Plymouth is once again entering an era of defence-driven growth. Richard Davies asks how the university fits in buff.ly/dDLRkUZ
November 11, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Great piece - understands policy context and asks the right questions about what that means for the university and the city.
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: “Apprenticeship units” and the LLE wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
October 23, 2025 at 9:45 PM
NEW on Wonkhe: “Apprenticeship units” and the LLE wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
My latest newsletter with all the analysis from a historic Caerphilly byelection
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/plaid-smas...
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/plaid-smas...
Plaid smash Reform to win in Caerphilly
These are the key takeaways from a massive night in Welsh politics
willhaywardwales.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:29 AM
My latest newsletter with all the analysis from a historic Caerphilly byelection
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/plaid-smas...
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/plaid-smas...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: Despite previous indications that movement was afoot, the post-16 education and skills white paper had nothing to say about institutional closure. Michael Salmon tries to work out what’s changed buff.ly/E8tkJve
October 22, 2025 at 6:10 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: Despite previous indications that movement was afoot, the post-16 education and skills white paper had nothing to say about institutional closure. Michael Salmon tries to work out what’s changed buff.ly/E8tkJve
Reposted by Michael Salmon
Everything that is in the White Paper for HE, handily digested.
Or if you prefer audio: wonkhe.com/blogs/podcas...
Or, if you prefer in person: www.thefestivalofhe.com
Or if you prefer audio: wonkhe.com/blogs/podcas...
Or, if you prefer in person: www.thefestivalofhe.com
NEW on Wonkhe: Higher education reform is here – along with a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education and skills. Debbie McVitty and David Kernohan work through the details of the government's agenda for HE buff.ly/D73ayy4
October 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Everything that is in the White Paper for HE, handily digested.
Or if you prefer audio: wonkhe.com/blogs/podcas...
Or, if you prefer in person: www.thefestivalofhe.com
Or if you prefer audio: wonkhe.com/blogs/podcas...
Or, if you prefer in person: www.thefestivalofhe.com
Reposted by Michael Salmon
Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of @uniofstandrews.bsky.social
This shows the Pier Walk - a ceremony which is part of every new academic year at St Andrews
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
This shows the Pier Walk - a ceremony which is part of every new academic year at St Andrews
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
October 21, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of @uniofstandrews.bsky.social
This shows the Pier Walk - a ceremony which is part of every new academic year at St Andrews
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
This shows the Pier Walk - a ceremony which is part of every new academic year at St Andrews
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: Higher education reform is here – along with a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education and skills. Debbie McVitty and David Kernohan work through the details of the government's agenda for HE wonkhe.com/blogs/what-i...
October 20, 2025 at 10:45 PM
NEW on Wonkhe: Higher education reform is here – along with a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education and skills. Debbie McVitty and David Kernohan work through the details of the government's agenda for HE wonkhe.com/blogs/what-i...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
NEW on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson examines the explosive growth of franchised business courses in England’s higher education sector – and asks why the Department for Education continues to fund providers with such poor student outcomes buff.ly/aaRX1Fq
October 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson examines the explosive growth of franchised business courses in England’s higher education sector – and asks why the Department for Education continues to fund providers with such poor student outcomes buff.ly/aaRX1Fq
Reposted by Michael Salmon
Now we can see the outcome data, it’s very clear that regulating some HE provision by outcome data hasn’t worked. A sub-set of franchised HE has become a get rich quick scheme and not for the students. DfE/OfS need their new rules in place ASAP.
wonkhe.com/blogs/how-hi...
wonkhe.com/blogs/how-hi...
How higher education became a get rich quick scheme
Jim Dickinson examines the explosive growth of franchised business courses in England’s higher education sector – and asks why the Department for Education continues to fund providers with such poor s...
wonkhe.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Now we can see the outcome data, it’s very clear that regulating some HE provision by outcome data hasn’t worked. A sub-set of franchised HE has become a get rich quick scheme and not for the students. DfE/OfS need their new rules in place ASAP.
wonkhe.com/blogs/how-hi...
wonkhe.com/blogs/how-hi...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
Yesterday, the OfS published an Insight briefing into the experiences of disabled students in #UKHE. It tells us all the same issues that every report about disabled students tells us, year after year. What we need is enforcement, not another checklist of 'thinking points' wonkhe.com/blogs/why-is...
Why is regulation on disabled students so weak?
As new insight from OfS reveals improving outcomes and worsening experience for disabled students, Jim Dickinson asks whether higher education regulation is fundamentally flawed in its design and focu...
wonkhe.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Yesterday, the OfS published an Insight briefing into the experiences of disabled students in #UKHE. It tells us all the same issues that every report about disabled students tells us, year after year. What we need is enforcement, not another checklist of 'thinking points' wonkhe.com/blogs/why-is...
Reposted by Michael Salmon
Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of @uniofsurrey.bsky.social
This is in Guildford; its ancestor, Battersea Polytechnic, was in London
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
This is in Guildford; its ancestor, Battersea Polytechnic, was in London
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
October 15, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of @uniofsurrey.bsky.social
This is in Guildford; its ancestor, Battersea Polytechnic, was in London
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
This is in Guildford; its ancestor, Battersea Polytechnic, was in London
If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
Reposted by Michael Salmon
UK govt prepares for yet another massive shake-up in post-16 education, to be achieved, yet again, by inventing new hoops to jump through while making the sector pay for the building of the hoops out of its own pocket. Which is empty.
wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
October 13, 2025 at 7:34 AM
UK govt prepares for yet another massive shake-up in post-16 education, to be achieved, yet again, by inventing new hoops to jump through while making the sector pay for the building of the hoops out of its own pocket. Which is empty.
wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...