Gold Leaf

Jumping on the student gravy train

We’re almost twenty years into this century and each year has brought an increase in the politicisation of the UK’s universities, with the resulting knock-on effect on the student population. In 2002, Tony Blair said that the government’s target was for 50% of eighteen-year-olds to enter higher education – a figure which it subsequently transpiredContinueContinue reading “Jumping on the student gravy train”

Going out to Tender: a Study in Etiquette

During the (almost) twenty years of Gold Leaf’s existence, we have worked on many tenders. Sometimes we have been sitting on one side of the table; sometimes on the other. We have helped clients prepare Invitations to Tender [ITTs] and assess the eventual results they’ve received; we have advised at tender “beauty contests” (i.e., formalContinueContinue reading “Going out to Tender: a Study in Etiquette”

Germany: Universities of Excellence – excellent universities?

The German university system has never had an equivalent to Oxbridge, Russell Group or the Ivy League. This is partially down to the way students are admitted – there are no (or very low) tuition fees and by law each university is obliged to offer all students with a German “Abitur” (A-level/IB equivalent) a placeContinueContinue reading “Germany: Universities of Excellence – excellent universities?”

Learning from Libraries – Stress-busting Steven

Universities are now much more aware of the need to support students who are feeling stressed by work pressures and exams. Librarians, of course, tend to see more of the anguish than academics, who only encounter students occasionally during the examination period. One of the more imaginative and empathetic ways that has been developed toContinueContinue reading “Learning from Libraries – Stress-busting Steven”

NSS results 2019 and Learning Resources

On Wednesday, the Office for Students published the results of this year’s National Student Survey. Each year, the NSS results spark discussions about their usefulness and whether or not they actually reflect the performance of a university overall. And every year, universities and service providers keenly await their results and national media celebrates their “winners”.ContinueContinue reading “NSS results 2019 and Learning Resources”