In this issue:

• Higher Education Student Numbers, 2008/09
• HEFCE Recurrent Grants, 2010/11
• Final HERA Barometer Report
• London Higher Business Development Unit (LHBDU)
• London Medicine
• New Study London website
• School-HE Links in London (SHELL)
• Meeting with HEFCE
• University Week
• Forthcoming London Higher Events

Recently released data from HESA on student numbers in London for 2008/09 shows:

• A total of 426,000 students were registered at Higher Education (HE) institutions in London, an increase from the previous academic year by 22,000 students
• Approximately 14,000 students attended further education courses funded indirectly by a London HE institution (HEI)
• The 412,000 HE students in London made up 17% of the total of 2.4 million HE students in the UK
• 43% of UK students in London were from a black or minority ethnic group, compared with 12% of students at HEIs in the rest of the UK
• 59% of all students in London were female
• 97,000 international students were registered in London, accounting for 24% of the total London student population
• 66,000 HE students were registered at a London HEI or partner organisation for studies based outside of the UK and about 62% of London’s “offshore students” were on distance learning or similar courses. 

Source: HESA (2010). Students in Higher Education Institutions 2008/09.  Higher Education Statistics Agency, Cheltenham, England.

For more information download the London Higher Student Record Key Factsheet for 2007/08 (PDF 1.88 MB).

Comments on the Factsheet should be sent to Paresh Shah.  All media enquiries should be addressed to HESA and not London Higher.

In March 2010, HEFCE announced provisional recurrent grant allocations for 2010-11. Highlights for London Higher member institutions include:

• Around £1,505 million, or 24%, of the £6,281 million in total grant allocation will be provided to higher education institutions (HEIs) in London;
• London’s HEIs are to receive 22% of the £4,508 million allocated for teaching and 30% of the £1,603 million under research;
• the majority of London's HEIs will receive below-inflation increases (<2%) or reductions of between 2 to 12%.

Source: HEFCE (2010). Recurrent Grants for 2010-11, March 2010/08.  Higher Education Funding Council for England, Bristol, England.

More information can be found in the Recurrent Grants for 2008-09 Factsheet (PDF 1.7 MB).

Comments on the Factsheet should be sent to Paresh Shah.

London Higher organised a meeting on 22 March 2010 with Sir Alan Langlands, Chief Executive, HEFCE, and Tim Melville-Ross, CBE, Chair of HEFCE,  who discussed the current state of the HE sector with over 30 heads or nominated representatives from member institutions of London Higher.

A background briefing note was prepared for the meeting and can be downloaded here (PDF: 4.12 MB).

University Week is a campaign to promote the social, economic and cultural impacts of universities and higher education colleges. It is being organised by Universities UK (UUK) and will take place from 14 to 18 June 2010.

University Week aims to enhance public understanding of the value of higher education institutions and start a discussion with the public to help shape future directions.

Further information will be made available soon and posted on the London Higher website.

• 26 April: Podium Regional Conference at Birkbeck, University of London (free event)
• 4 May: SHELL Seminar on university-school relationships
• 10 June: London Higher Plenary and Summer Reception (invitation only)