Since the system was introduced ten years ago, UCAS has rated the level of qualifications and grades achieved by students and awarded a certain amount of points; these points are then used by universities to assess the aptitude of students and offer places on degree courses.

At the time the system was created, the majority of university applicants had A-Level qualifications. Now, however, only half  of university applicants pursue A-Levels prior to university, with many students achieving alternative qualifications. In light of this greater diversity, and the limitations of the current system in showing how one particular qualification may be of more value than another, UCAS are beginning a review into the points-based system which is expected to take up to two years.

Professor Sir Robert Burgess, chair of the UCAS Board and Vice-Chancellor of Leicester University, said: “The UCAS tariff has been very valuable to the higher education sector which uses it in many different ways to support the admissions process and understanding of qualifications. A review is appropriate at a time when applicants are using an increasingly diverse range of qualifications to progress in to higher education.”

The announcement has received support from both the National Union of Students and the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, who said: “I’m very pleased UCAS is undertaking this review, because our universities admissions system needs to recognise the full range of modern qualifications, including apprenticeships. It is important to ensure that we value both academic and vocational qualifications, provided they are rigorous. That is the way to make sure people have the best possible chance to go on to higher education.”

The chief executive of UCAS, Mary Curnock Cook, added: “Getting onto your chosen course in higher education has always been competitive. UCAS wants to make sure that everyone can understand the currency of particular qualifications for entry to particular courses and can make a realistic and successful application.”

For more information on studying in the UK, read the latest UK i-studentadvisor guide.

The scheme is aimed at students completing the professional practice certificate in Special Educational Needs established through the UK-India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI).

As well as participating in UKIERI, Roehampton has established further partnerships in India with the Gujarat government as well as the University of Baroda.

Roehampton vice-chancellor Paul O’Prey said “In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), the government’s assessment of the quality of research conducted in our universities came out as one of the best of any modern university. A third of our research is rated internationally excellent.”

Speaking of Roehampton’s Indian connections, O’Prey added: “India is becoming a very important part of our academic activity and we are becoming popular with Indian students wanting to study at our university at Master’s level.”

For more information on the scholarships, contact Roehampton University via their website here.

To get all the advice and guidance you need on applying to UK universities check out the latest edition of our UK e-magazine.

Professor Borysiewicz was nominated by the University Council. Subject to the approval of the Regent House, the University’s governing body, he will succeed the present Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Richard, at the end of her seven-year term on October 1 2010.

The Vice-Chancellor is the full-time, resident head of the University and its most senior academic officer. The role dates back to 1412 and Professor Borysiewicz will be the 345th office-holder. The nomination is the culmination of an international search, which the University Council’s Advisory Committee began earlier this year.

Professor Frank Kelly, Master of Christ’s College, Cambridge, who oversaw the search, said:

“In its 800th anniversary year the University has had much to celebrate from its past achievements and its transforming effect on lives and society, and it looks to the future with confidence and ambition.

“Professor Borysiewicz’s wide experience and outstanding personal qualities equip him superbly to lead Cambridge as a world-leading centre for education and research.”

Prior to joining the MRC, Professor Borysiewicz was Deputy Rector at Imperial College London, having joined in 2001 as Principal of the Faculty of Medicine. In his latter role at Imperial, Sir Leszek was responsible for the overall academic and scientific direction of the college, particularly the development of inter-disciplinary research between engineering, physical sciences and biomedicine. During his time at Imperial, Sir Leszek was also Governor of the Wellcome Trust (2006-2007), Chairman of the UKCRC Integrated Academic Training Awards Panel (2005-2007), and he continues to Chair the HEFCE RAE Main Panel A Assessment Panel.

Previously he had been a Lecturer in Medicine at the University of Cambridge (1988-1991), as a member of Wolfson College where he is now an Honorary Fellow, before moving to the University of Wales as Professor of Medicine (1991 – 2001).

Professor Borysiewicz was knighted in the 2001 New Year’s Honours List for his research into developing vaccines, including a vaccine to prevent the development of cervical cancer.

Professor Borysiewicz said: “I am delighted to be nominated for the position of Vice-Chancellor and excited by the opportunity to build on Cambridge’s strong tradition of academic excellence in both teaching and research. I will be sad to leave the Medical Research Council but I am proud to have helped the MRC write the next chapter in its long and successful history of improving human health through the impact of its excellent research.”

University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Steve Smith, and colleagues, met alumni in all three cities and shared with them the University’s progress and successes.

Alumni across a number of decades, including many who graduated in 2009, attended the events. All enjoyed the opportunity to meet old friends and catch-up on the latest news from the University. They heard that Exeter is now ranked 9th UK university in The Times Online Good University Guide and learned about University developments, including the Forum project, which are now underway.

The events took place during a visit to South East Asia by Professor Steve Smith and senior colleagues, which covered Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia.

University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Steve Smith said: “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet so many University alumni in South East Asia. Each year we run many events like this for Exeter graduates all over the world. It is always a great pleasure to talk to alumni about their memories of Exeter — whether they graduated months or years ago – and to tell them about the exciting things that are happening here now.”

The University of Exeter now attracts students from 120 different countries and welcomed a record 1,700 international students this year. There are now 2,600 international students.

University of California Berkeley Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau has announced a six-month fact-based assessment of opportunities to reduce costs and improve campus operations.

The assessment will ensure that as large a fraction as possible of Berkeley’s resources are directed to the core mission of teaching and research.

“As you all know, a serious and precipitous drop in funding from the state of California has produced a budget deficit of nearly $150 million for the 2009 — 2010 year for UC Berkeley…throughout the last few months, we have taken a number of temporary, short-term actions that allowed us to respond quickly to the unprecedented cuts. While we have raised revenue through fund raising, fee increases and other measures, we have also had to assign $67 million in permanent budget reductions.” said Bigeneau.

“With that goal in mind,” he continued, “we are formally launching an effort that will build upon and expand the work already underway to reduce our costs and streamline operations. I will be leading this effort together with Vice Chancellor Frank Yeary. We will be conducting a comprehensive study of our costs — what we spend on our various operational and administrative activities — and developing concrete options that improve operations while reducing our costs”.

With guidance from a Steering Committee that includes faculty, staff and student leaders, and support from external consultants, the Berkeley team will engage with hundreds of people across campus to gather information and identify opportunities for operational improvements and cost reduction.

To read the Chancellor’s message in full, click here.

Professor Andrew Hamilton has joined the University from Yale, where he was Provost from 2004 until late 2008.

Professor Hamilton said: “Oxford is one of the world’s greatest universities and the opportunity to serve as its Vice-Chancellor is both inspiring and energising. With the support and help of colleagues in every part of the collegiate University, I intend to play my part in ensuring that Oxford’s outstanding reputation as a pre-eminent centre of teaching, learning and research is safeguarded and enhanced for generations to come. I will strive to repay the trust that has been placed in me and to ensure that a great University has an even better future.”

Professor Hamilton begins his new responsibilities on 1 October and on Tuesday 6 October he will be formally admitted to office at a ceremony in the Sheldonian Theatre. The ceremony witnesses the change-over of Vice-Chancellors and takes place at a meeting of Congregation (the University’s ‘parliament of dons’). The occasion will begin with an Oration by the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Dr John Hood, followed by the admission of Professor Hamilton as the new Vice-Chancellor and his inaugural address.

To read the full report about Professor Andrew Hamilton, click here.

Formerly the Northern American Head of education agent IDP, Leventhal’s new role will see him in charge of developing SUNY’s global operations.

“If the SUNY system is to be the model for the world, then we must strengthen our efforts in international education,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, who recommended Leventhal to the SUNY board.

“Mitch Leventhal is the right person to enhance coordination of our international efforts and to break ground in developing new initiatives,” she continued.

Previously, Leventhal worked as Vice Provost for International Affairs at the University of Cincinnati, where his responsibilities included global strategy and international recruitment. Before that he headed up operations for IDP, an education agent run by 38 Australian universities.

“SUNY’s total global potential has not yet been realised and I am appreciative of the responsibility Chancellor Zimpher and the Board of Trustees have given me,” said Leventhal. “Providing new opportunities for faculty and student across the 64-campus system will be a challenge and one I look forward to; but equally important will be our efforts to leverage our strengths to help New York state companies more effectively compete in a global economy.”

Bishop’s University in Quebec, Canada will receive $4.457 million to renovate and modernise its laboratories in the Johnson Science Building.

These laboratories, which have not undergone any major renovation since their opening in 1965, will be modernised to provide Bishop’s students and faculty with state-of-the-art facilities to engage in science education and pursue research.

“Bishop’s University has a rich tradition of science education, offering our undergraduate students more one-on-one time with tenured faculty and more individual access to research equipment than perhaps any other university in Quebec,” said Bishop’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Michael Goldbloom. “This investment will ensure that we maintain our high academic standards and that our science programmes will be equipped to meet new challenges and priorities.”

The funding comes as part of the Canada-Quebec agreement on the Knowledge Infrastructure Programme and is jointly funded by the Province of Quebec and the Government of Canada.

To learn more about studying in Canada read the i-studentadvisor Canada issue, available at: www.i-studentadvisor.com/canada

The recruitment scheme sees students awarded laptops, ipods and even airfares depending on the amount of students they recruit. According to The Australian, “recruiting six students earns a return airfare to the home country and seven earns a new laptop”. Whilst eight students equates to “a return airfare and accommodation for two family members at graduation.”

Critics of the scheme have warned that students recruited by students may not be informed with all the information needed for them to choose the right institution or course.

“During my time studying at university in Malaysia, the admission office often offered us incentives for introducing our friends to the university,” commented Malaysian born graduate Gabrielle Saw. “They paid us 700 ringgits or there about for every student we recruited. Sometimes I did feel compromised as I was trying to persuade my friends to choose my university for very selfish reasons.”

However Central Queensland University Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman has defended the university’s actions, saying: “whilst different, we do not believe our programme has a negative academic impact.”

i-studentadvisor wants to know what do you think? Is it right or wrong for institutions to recruit in this way?