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The Higher Education Show

Team Wonkhe
Higher Education
International Students
Office For Students
Mental Health
Higher Education Funding
Free Speech
UK Higher Education
Higher Education Policy
Student Loans
Student Experience
Tuition Fees
Cost Of Living Crisis
UK Government
Labour Party Conference
Apprenticeships
Cost Of Living
Labour Party
University Funding
International Student Levy
Student Engagement

Every week the Wonkhe team and guests from across higher education dissect the week's big policy developments, and we also feature views from around the sector.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes318Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationGovernment

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Artwork for The Higher Education Show

Latest Episodes

This week on the podcast we discuss the ambition to make the UK the world’s leading innovation nation.

With plans to devolve innovation funding, build globally significant clusters in every region and strengthen collaboration, what role will univers... more

This week on the podcast we examine how universities are rethinking academic integrity in the age of AI. As institutions move away from blanket bans and detection towards more nuanced approaches to assessment, a new Wonkhe and Studiosity white paper ... more

This week on the podcast we examine what Labour Party conference told us about the government’s plans for higher education – or, perhaps more significantly, what it didn’t. We also consider what higher education should make of MI5’s warning about res... more

This week on the podcast Home Office figures show more than 20,000 fewer study visa applications in August than a year earlier – so is the fall in international recruitment catastrophic for university finances, or merely extremely bad?

Universities ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mark Peace
Professor of Innovation in Education, King's College London
King's College London
Episode: Academic integrity and AI, Conservative conference
Annie Bell
Associate Director of Higher Education
Public First / PF Global
Episode: Academic integrity and AI, Conservative conference
John Blake
Director, The Post-18 Project
The Post-18 Project
Episode: Academic integrity and AI, Conservative conference
Kate Newby
Contributor from the University of Sunderland
University of Sunderland
Episode: Hope (again), Mi5
Rashad Shabab
Associate Dean for Education and Students
University of Sussex
Episode: Loans, Free speech
Mark Leach
Editor-in-Chief, guest seat
Wonkhe
Episode: Future jobs, uni closures
Smita Jamdar
Partner and head of education
Shakespeare Martineau
Episode: Future jobs, uni closures
Hugh Jones
Independent consultant and regular contributor to Wonkhe via postcard series
Wonkhe
Episode: Burnham, SUs, Year ahead
Catherine Lloyd-Clark
Staff blogger on student finance
Wonkhe
Episode: The end of the year show

Hosts

Mark Leach
Host of The Wonkhe Show; senior commentator on HE policy and governance
Jim Dickinson
Host of The Wonkhe Show; HE policy analysis and governance discussions

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 117 ratings
  • Useful but host needs to slow down

    Really useful podcast covering policy developments in my industry, but the host needs to slow down, he speaks almost incomprehensibly fast.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    phot0g
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • All policy areas should be wonkified

    It is so easy to keep up with what’s going on in HE with this across-the-board, unbiased, insightful reporting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Itisnotpossible
    United Kingdom6 years ago
  • Good content..poor production

    This is an interesting and informative podcast however the production really lets it down. Volume levels are all over the shop and the background music is usually way too loud leaving it unpleasant to listen to. Hopefully this can be sorted!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ftopson
    United Kingdom7 years ago
  • Massive improvement

    The production of this series is significantly better than the first. Sharp, snappy and an essential listen for anyone involved in higher education.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eric T Yorkie
    United Kingdom8 years ago
  • Accessible and informative

    Great concise overview of the week.

    Fun tone, great host.

    More please!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ConsultantQueen
    United Kingdom8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests from diverse HE roles provide credible, on-the-ground perspectives that enrich policy discussions.
The show offers wonky, sector-specific policy insights and strong context for HE funding debates.
Production improvements are noted by listeners, with some feedback on audio levels.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#221
United Kingdom/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Quality reforms, duty of candour, skills
Q: Andrea, how do you think the restrictions for bronze performance ratings will be received?
There will likely be considerable feedback suggesting that the punitive measures may not be well received by the sector.
Quality reforms, duty of candour, skills
Q: Shane, how does this compare with what goes on in further education?
The OFS is taking significantly longer to implement reforms compared to Ofsted, raising concerns about whether this is the best use of their time.
Special: Writing for Wonkhe
Q: Adam, can you give us a quick flavor of the program that this module is a part of?
The program is called Higher Education Policy into Practice, which is a 60 credits online program focused on the future of higher education.
Special: Writing for Wonkhe
Q: Debbie, what is the best thing about your job?
Seeing a lot of the policy developments and stuff that goes into our daily briefings and working with authors to get things ready for publication.
Manifestos, academic experience, flirting
Q: What were some of the opinions held regarding the University of Cambridge's stance on flirtation between students and staff?
Opinions are divided; some argue that building relationships with faculty is part of university life, while others highlight the need to address the potential exploitation and power dynamics in these relationships.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Higher Education Show

What is The Higher Education Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly briefing on higher education policy, governance, and funding with a mix of Wonkhe editors, sector leaders, and researchers. Episodes typically cover UK HE funding, student finance, governance reforms, TEF, SPG allocations, and regional policy debates, often featuring frontline university perspectives and policy analysis from HE think tanks and journalism. The show tends to blend rigorous policy critique with practical implications for universities, policymakers, and student experience. It's likely to appeal to listeners who want in-depth, wonky coverage of policy shifts and their real-world effects on institutions and students, with a reputation for sharp, informed discussions and a visible emphasis on governance and funding mechan... more

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How many listeners does The Higher Education Show get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Higher Education Show have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Higher Education Show has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Higher Education Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Higher Education Show:

1. The Rest Is Politics
2. Newscast
3. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
4. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
5. Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

How many episodes of The Higher Education Show are there?

The Higher Education Show launched 9 years ago and published 318 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Higher Education Show?

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What guests have appeared on The Higher Education Show?

Recent guests on The Higher Education Show include:

1. Mark Peace
2. Annie Bell
3. John Blake
4. Kate Newby
5. Rashad Shabab
6. Mark Leach
7. Smita Jamdar
8. Hugh Jones

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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