It is, of course, hard to argue with the concept that our universities should do their best to equip the nation with the skilled workforce that it needs to compete in the globalised economy of the 21st century.

It is, of course, hard to argue with the concept that our universities should do their best to equip the nation with the skilled workforce that it needs to compete in the globalised economy of the 21st century.

Teenagers who fail to score top grades in their A-levels should not be excluded from leading universities, the Business Secretary said today.

The Business Secretary has sparked a debate about degree priorities as he called on universities to play a major role in helping the country's economy, and sought to widen access to them. We asked three people their views:

Plans for the biggest shake-up of universities for decades, including the first charter of rights for students, have been unveiled by the Government.

The Government today blocked the use of a rival exam to the GCSE – considered by many independent heads to be more rigorous – in state schools.