University funding and finances
Losses at Queen’s, Heriot-Watt and UWS, along with Ulster, underline UK-wide nature of funding challenges
2024 saw swathes of jobs cuts amid concerns about universities going bankrupt. So is the sector now in a better position to weather the adverse financial climate? Are even worse storms ahead? Or will Labour undertake the systemic change that might see the sun shine again? Tom Williams reports
Out-of-hours support run out of Northumbria University now works with a third of the sector
Leicester, Surrey, Brunel and Hull also report losses in financial accounts for 2023-24
King’s College London reported an operating deficit of £19 million once the impact from pensions and donations are excluded
At least 16 institutions announced plans to shut in 2024, with closures expected to increase significantly in the years ahead
Former University of the Arts London vice-chancellor to lead work aimed at finding ways universities can collaborate to secure savings
Need to meet commitments on loans taken out in boom years forces institutions to accept worse terms and conditions, or look to non-traditional sources for new funding
Polling indicates lack of awareness over sector’s funding turmoil, with public seeing more international enrolments as solution to difficulties
Reforms will redraw funding system and create tertiary education commission, but questions remain over how much cash will materialise
Universities must rethink their use of agents and discounts and put more effort into securing and retaining enrolments, consultant says
Remaining staff will lose access to Teachers’ Pensions Scheme as union attacks ‘Scrooge playbook’ cuts
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reflect scale of growth in post-pandemic, pre-crackdown rebound
Despite the large increases in surpluses, top-ranked universities both report net cash outflows in operating activities of more than £58 million
Government urged to rebalance payments to universities to align with high-cost teaching periods
University leaders warn region’s public institutions will ‘fall behind’ without funding increase
Ministers under pressure to protect struggling universities from bankruptcy
Agreement between coalition and opposition parties to reduce budget cuts does little to assuage sector leaders’ fears
Bringing institutions under same roof can create efficiencies but won’t solve financial crises in both sectors, leaders agree
Dedicated source of capital funding tops umbrella body’s election wish list
The University of London has been held up as an example of how institutions can collaborate during tough financial times. But how easy would it be to replicate elsewhere?
Ian Gillespie had told staff last month that the university was facing a potential £30 million deficit
The year is ending with an ongoing permacrisis for higher education. Political rhetoric has improved but the sector still needs a vision for its future
While it may be reluctant to attempt widespread reform of universities, economic circumstances may force Labour’s hand, experts believe
Repurposing Covid-era cash allows government to claim extra investment but institutions remain in ‘precarious state’
Increase to ‘ensure Welsh institutions remain competitive’ will be second time fees are hiked in space of a year
Higher education institutions ‘in danger’ as a result of controversial budget measures, umbrella group says, with some closing in protest
Loan scheme pioneer highlights moral hazard of Australia’s ‘Byzantine’ way of bankrolling master’s places
‘Challenger’ institutions dealt blow as regulator temporarily shuts down processes seen as crucial for launching as a provider
‘Big reset’ opportunity now spent when sector most needs it, says Duncan Maskell
Union sees need to borrow for building projects behind latest round of bloodletting
Process for transferring students left stranded by market exit in need of a rethink, says one of the few leaders who has gone through it
Universities should no longer give the ‘cold shoulder’ to businesses that can potentially perform functions more effectively, says Ken Sloan
Shitij Kapur warns sector has already used up a lot of political capital on small fee rise that will not solve institutional funding woes
UK sector leaders expect trust issues as culture changes, but ‘burning platform’ of financial crisis will focus minds
Emerging institutions’ aspirations snubbed as old-guard administrators focus on a vanishing bottom line
‘Invisible regulators’ to ask harder questions of UK sector investment decisions, professor claims
Keeping costs down ‘not an objective’ for research-addicted sector, says accountancy professor
Protest comes as House of Representatives prepares to debate controversial cuts to education and research of more than €1 billion
Questions cause alarm but the panel ‘wouldn’t be doing its job’ if it avoided them, commentators say
‘Quite a few’ institutions actively considering mergers, claims David Maguire
Little prospect of convincing politicians or the public of the need to raise fees higher, leaving universities dependent on an upturn in economy and international student market, says Shitij Kapur
Better to revise the previous government’s tuition fee hikes than redirect taxpayers’ money into wealthy graduates’ pockets, says Maxwell Yong
As questions about the size and shape of UK higher education persist, debates about the part number controls could play are making a comeback
English fee rise does little to relieve pressure on institutions, with increased staff costs likely to swallow additional funding
The removal of recruitment caps in 2015 was hailed by ministers as a boon to institutions’ and students’ ambitions. But the tuition fee’s declining value and the Russell Group’s ever-growing market share now threaten the viability of some institutions, and calls are growing for a U-turn, writes Juliette Rowsell
Announcement follows the departure of 400 staff members last year as efforts to close budget black hole continue
Universities need £60 million boost from Holyrood budget to avoid further cuts to per-student funding, says IFS
Few universities confirm plans to charge full uplift to all undergraduates, with sector set to miss out on millions in extra revenue
Union says withdrawal of some business degrees ‘raises serious questions’ but university insists it is separate to wider restructure
Any new home undergraduate enrolling on a course at University College Birmingham will be eligible for the allowance
Staff fear cost-cutting motivations behind university’s drive for more secure employment
Lower than anticipated student recruitment worsening financial situation for more institutions, according to OfS analysis
Ensure that your exit causes minimal inconvenience, regulator tells private colleges
New LSE vice-chancellor discusses ‘Wild West’ US, dealing with campus protests and the personal turmoil that led him to make the switch to London
John Cater, who is set to retire after 31 years at the helm of Edge Hill University, warns that sector finances have never been more challenging
Wartime austerity could slash research output and disproportionately hit disadvantaged students, sector leaders warn
Latest redundancy round militates against the government’s growth aspirations, observers warn
Science Tokyo head says joining forces is an ‘effective strategy’ for institutions facing funding and demographic shortfalls
Horse set to follow the cart, as critics warn of perverse consequences
