UK urged to bring universities back into one department

“Split” across two departments of teaching and research is “unhelpful” for universities, say leading experts

The UK government should bring universities back under one department, leading figures in the higher education sector have said.

Higher education previously fell under the remit of one government department, with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the later Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. This department disbanded in 2016 with science and innovation going to the newly formed Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, while some higher education functions went to the Department for Education.