Epigram – University of Bristol
An investigation by the University of Bristol Students’ Union into student part-time work has called for a “University-wide cultural shift”, reports the Epigram.
The Students’ Union surveyed 139 students undertaking part-time work to find out more about how their jobs impact their academic performance.
The report revealed that 35% have skipped classes for their job and that 77% said their work affects their academics. It found that the proportion of students working increased from 56% in 2024 to 68% in 2025.
According to Epigram, student officers have urged the University of Bristol to recognise that student workers are the new norm and offer better support for those balancing work and study.
A University of Bristol spokesperson commented that the institution will work with SU officers on ways to facilitate better support for students who work part-time.
Varsity – University of Cambridge
Students at the University of Cambridge will vote later this month on whether to remain affiliated with the National Union of Students UK (NUS), Varsity is reporting.
The referendum will take place between October 27 and October 30 and will mark the first time its students have voted on the issue since 2016.
The NUS is a confederation of over 600 student unions across the UK, However, Varsity mentions that the body has faced criticism in recent months, principally due to its stance on the war in Gaza.
The article reports that, in July, over 210 student officers, societies and groups published an open letter calling for the NUS to take a stronger position on Israel. However, other universities are not known to be considering similar referenda.
The last referendum in 2016 saw students vote to remain affiliated by a margin of 52% to 47%, with 1% abstaining.
Palatinate – Durham University
Durham’s student newspaper Palatinate focused on delays regarding college allocation in a recent article.
The article states that Durham University had imposed a deadline of Friday, 5 September for informing new students of their college allocation.
Students had been advised to contact the admissions office by 7 September if they had not been informed of their college, although Palatinate reports that many had yet to receive any information by 15 September.
One interviewed parent raised concerns about the financial stress caused by the delays, as Durham colleges charge different rents. This left them unaware of how much they would need to pay to fund the gap between their son’s maintenance loan and the rent cost.
A Durham university spokesperson said the “vast majority” of students had received their college allocation in good time.
The Student – University of Edinburgh
A new society set up by Reform UK supporters is dividing opinion, reports the University of Edinburgh’s The Student.
The Edinburgh Reform Society, which is a joint venture between students of four universities in Edinburgh, welcomes members who share an interest in the politics and values of Reform UK, according to the society’s Instagram page.
The Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) confirmed the society is not affiliated with it nor has it applied to be.
The article reports that other student-led political groups have signed a joint statement expressing concern for the new society, as ReformUK spreads “misinformation designed to stoke fear and hatred”.
The Student approached the Edinburgh Reform Society for comment but did not receive a response.
The Glasgow Guardian – University of Glasgow
A recent piece by The Glasgow Guardian focuses on a student who ended his life last December upon finding out he could not graduate with Honours.
However, a University of Glasgow investigation later determined that the grade which caused him to miss out on Honours was a mistake and that he should, in fact, have graduated with a 2:1 Honours.
The student’s legal representative suggested this mistake is evidence of a “systematic problem” and questioned how many others may have been marked incorrectly.
The Gryphon – University of Leeds
The Gryphon has reported on a protest organised by the Leeds Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG) on October 8, which called for the university to waive tuition fees for three Palestinian offer holders in Gaza.
The protest also demanded the safe evacuation of these offer holders from the territory, suggesting that doing so would uphold the University of Leeds’ commitment to be a ‘University of Sanctuary’.
The article compares the University of Leeds’ current stance with its previous support for Ukrainian students, suggesting its large profits mean that waiving the tuition fees for the three Palestinian offer holders would be feasible.
With one Gazan student having already secured a full scholarship, the piece concludes that there is reason to be optimistic that the three others in question will receive the same support.
The Beaver – LSE
LSE’s student newspaper, The Beaver, has revealed that no action was taken against any member of staff despite more than 200 reports of misconduct through an online tool between September 2024 and August 2025.
The investigation states that, among other categories, 28 were ‘sexual misconduct’, 76 ‘harassment’, 46 ‘hate incidents’ and 29 ‘assault’ incidents.
LSE Report and Support is LSE’s online reporting tool for students, staff and visitors. Fewer than five cases of disciplinary action against students occurred during the same period.
A spokesperson for LSE said many reports led to informal action, which was described as “an individual [being] made aware of the impact of their behaviour or recommendations for training”.
The school added that it would publish a report of the system for the academic year 2024/25 before the end of the Autumn Term.
