Staff at University of Nottingham will begin industrial action after the university rejected a union proposal aimed at reducing planned job cuts linked to an £85 million deficit.
King’s College London and Cranfield University plan to merge by 2027, combining strengths in engineering, technology, health, and policy to enhance UK innovation, security, and resilience.
The University of Nottingham has placed 2,700 staff at risk and plans 609 job cuts amid an £85 million deficit, highlighting escalating financial pressures across UK higher education.
Finland plans to tighten international student residence permit rules, making social assistance use an explicit basis for permit cancellation while introducing stricter income, family, and language requirements.
France is raising tuition fees for non-EU students to €2,895 (bachelor’s) and €3,941 (master’s). Despite the increase, it remains cheaper than major study destinations like the US and UK. The change supports France’s “Choose France” strategy to attract talent in key fields like AI and engineering.
The UK launches a new handbook on April 22, 2026, to help universities establish transnational education programs in Malaysia, offering step-by-step guidance on accreditation and regulation as both countries deepen collaboration and position Malaysia as a regional education hub.
Birkbeck, University of London is set to establish its first overseas campus in Bengaluru after receiving UGC approval, marking a major step in India’s push to attract global universities. The campus will offer University of London degrees at nearly 60% lower cost than in the UK while maintaining the same academic standards, with additional plans for scholarships and AI-integrated teaching. The move is expected to expand access to international education in India and strengthen India–UK higher education collaboration.
The UK has introduced a “visa brake” restricting Student visa applications from four countries, reflecting growing immigration controls that may affect international student mobility and university recruitment strategies.
By reimagining the doctorate as a shared enterprise rather than a solitary pursuit, a growing alliance between universities, industry and the state is reshaping what it means to earn a PhD—and what that degree is for.
