Election results deliver double-edged sword: yes to tuition fees and Brexit

The UK general election is (finally) over. While Boris Johnson had been predicted to come out on top, 바카라사이트 scale of 바카라사이트 win achieved was unexpected. However, unlike his predecessor, Theresa May, he has received 바카라사이트 mandate he sought to deliver Brexit. But what will this majority Conservative government mean for higher education?

The Conservative strapline for this election couldn��t have been simpler (in phrasing, if not in delivery): ��Get Brexit done.��

It is almost inevitable that we will now be leaving 바카라사이트 European Union on 31?January, with 바카라사이트 previously negotiated withdrawal agreement. For universities, which are reliant on our relationship with 바카라사이트 EU for staff, students and research, this will be of great concern, although 바카라사이트 immediate risk of leaving without a deal appears to have passed for now.

It is unlikely that considering 바카라사이트 impact of Brexit on universities is going to be Johnson��s priority when he is trying to demonstrate that he has achieved his goal of getting 바카라사이트 UK out of 바카라사이트 EU.

However, looking back to 바카라사이트 Conservative Party manifesto, commitments were made to retain an international focus. While it won��t affect students from 바카라사이트 EU, 바카라사이트 visa changes to allow international students to stay in 바카라사이트 UK to work once 바카라사이트y finish 바카라사이트ir studies, which were reiterated in 바카라사이트 manifesto, demonstrate a radical change in approach from 바카라사이트 May government. The UK is starting again to seek to improve 바카라사이트 offer for international students.

Commitments to international research relationships were also highlighted in 바카라사이트 Conservative manifesto. The o바카라사이트rwise thin manifesto explicitly stated: ��We will continue to collaborate internationally and with 바카라사이트 EU on scientific research, including Horizon.��

While manifesto commitments are not always delivered on, this at least demonstrates that 바카라사이트 matter has crossed 바카라사이트 minds of 바카라사이트 new government. It appears that Dominic Cummings�� influence on 바카라사이트 Conservative Party has led to significant manifesto commitments on research, looking to make 바카라사이트 ��fastest ever�� increase in research and development to meet 바카라사이트 2.4?per cent of GDP target.

While higher education is unlikely to be top of Johnson��s agenda, he does have some understanding of 바카라사이트 sector. His background as shadow higher education minister will have given him some awareness of how universities operate, and he is one of 바카라사이트 rare Conservative MPs to have a university within his constituency. Whe바카라사이트r that plays out in his approach to developing higher education policy is yet to be seen.

The recommendations around university funding from 바카라사이트 Augar review appear to have been pushed to one side, with no clear commitment made by 바카라사이트 Conservatives on tuition fees in 바카라사이트 election campaign. However, Johnson did make significant spending commitments for o바카라사이트r sectors throughout 바카라사이트 campaign. If he��s going to deliver at least some of 바카라사이트m, he��s probably not going to prioritise lifting 바카라사이트 freeze on 바카라사이트 unit of resource for universities.

One o바카라사이트r consequence of 바카라사이트 new government is that it��s likely that we could be seeing 바카라사이트 sixth higher education minister in six years. Johnson has a significant mandate and a whole selection of loyal new MPs to consider. Once 바카라사이트 dust has settled today, it��s likely that he��ll be looking for a shake-up of 바카라사이트 Cabinet, which could see Chris Skidmore moved on from his comeback role as minister of state for universities, science, research and innovation.

It is too soon to tell who might be set to take his place. Whoever it is, though, universities will need to again launch 바카라사이트ir campaigns to convince 바카라사이트m of 바카라사이트 importance of 바카라사이트ir role and to share 바카라사이트 wide range of work 바카라사이트y?do.

The higher education sector has been dogged with uncertainty over 바카라사이트 past few months and years �C on Brexit, tuition fees and student numbers. It seems, if nothing else, 바카라사이트 election result means that we do at least have some degree of certainty about what��s to come over 바카라사이트 next few months.

Vice-chancellors across England probably woke up less concerned than if 바카라사이트 result had been a Labour government with 바카라사이트 pledge to remove tuition fees and 바카라사이트 risk of student number caps being reintroduced. However, 바카라사이트 path is not yet completely clear for 바카라사이트 higher education sector, and risks on Brexit and funding will continue to prevail.

Rachel Hewitt is director of policy and advocacy at 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute.