University funding/finances
Education committee announces inquiry into higher education funding as financial position of sector worsens
Annual data shows universities in England and Northern Ireland face growing losses on research and teaching domestic students
Redundancies are being pushed through at many universities even as their accounts attest to relatively robust financial health. But as Labor’s de facto caps on international enrolment start to bite, some suggest that vice-chancellors are right to be prudent. John Ross reports
With spending review expected to leave little room to manoeuvre, focus on post-16 agenda worries universities
Risk of ‘progressively more destructive patterns of behaviour’ as UK institutions find themselves increasingly ‘boxed in’
Savings only part of the motivation for university’s ‘realignment’ to ‘remain relevant’, but union says management wants the humanities ‘burned’
Universities eye ‘block teaching’ as way of attracting more students but staff at places that have made the switch warn it is having the opposite effect
Students given wrong question and others left without supporting documents, but institution denies impact of voluntary severance programme was to blame
Difficult to get new models of collaboration off the ground without ‘transformation funding’, finds efficiencies review
Uncertainty over the future of degree apprenticeship funding endangers success of crucial upskilling programme, says Exeter v-c Lisa Roberts
Proposal to increase money paid by top US institutions fifteenfold could prove to have deeper impact than more headline-grabbing Trump policies
Incoming deputy prime minister casts doubt on plans to boost domestic medical training, saying he is ‘standing up for careful use of taxpayer money’
Turnaround in financial fortunes in New South Wales largely driven by growth of wealthy institutions, with others still in deficit
Union threat could prove to be more about ‘propaganda’, with legality of pursuing dispute against education secretary questioned
Potential reprioritisation of parts of research budget could heap pressure on institutions already counting cost of immigration and tax changes
With international students being squeezed, both government and industry must ‘grapple with university funding realities’, according to Carolyn Evans
Union fears more than 300 jobs at risk as institution plans to close chemistry and film courses
Institution facing ‘significant’ deficit as falling recruitment leaves it unable to cover rising costs
Further rowing back on cost-cutting measures end fears that certain languages will no longer be taught in Wales
While flurry of approvals raises concerns about the financial viability of offshore outposts, government policies leave ambitious universities with few other choices
UK’s biggest academic union eyes showdown with Labour minister as it tries to respond to wave of university cuts
VU credits sequential approach to teaching as revenue increases and salary bill drops – but union says it is leading to overwork
University proposes 39 job losses in latest sign new wave of cuts will be tougher on staff
Hike in fees of up to 6 per cent unlikely to compensate for erosion of research funding and cuts to grant schemes and mobility scholarships
Threat of strike ballot still hanging over UK pay talks but expert says low offer will be greeted with ‘sullen resignation’
The shock victory of Geert Wilders’ far-right party in the Netherlands’ 2023 election has led to reduced funding for higher education and research, curbs on international student numbers and concerns for academic freedom and the country’s reputation as a research powerhouse. Emily Dixon reports
Increased staff and other operating costs blamed for ‘significant deterioration’, with spending on restructuring ballooning
Surprise reduction in funding for specialist provision will spark ‘brand new financial crisis brewed entirely in Whitehall’, critics warn
Vocabulary driven by policymakers doesn’t work for sector where outputs are not always measurable, conference hears
Lowest offer since the pandemic reflects ‘severity of the financial pressures’ facing institutions, says employer body
Staff want additional funding allocated by the Welsh government to be used to remove threat of compulsory redundancies
Ministers to seek to ensure money used to support high-cost subjects better aligns with priorities for growth
Minister says there will be no changes to visa processing regime that gives effect to government’s thwarted cap proposal
Latest cost-cutting drives to hit UK sector include planned compulsory redundancies at Bournemouth-based institution
Experience Down Under suggests universities should not be too quick to torpedo idea that overseas income should be redistributed
All of university’s hourly paid lecturers in social sciences set to go under plans that will affect a quarter of academic workforce
Job cuts target drops from initial 400 after university accepts proposals put forward by staff which will see schools ‘teaching higher numbers of students’
Student-staff ratios climb to highest level in a decade as universities make cutbacks to avoid plunging into the red
Top universities still in robust financial health in year of visa hikes and last-minute withdrawal of proposed foreign enrolment caps
Universities set to lose millions in income if government goes ahead with plan to take a cut of overseas earnings, and are unlikely to see much benefit from levy spending, critics say
Bentley-driving vice-chancellor George Holmes put on leave after PwC investigation into university payments
Despite widespread misgivings about productivity gains, digital transformations are considered a safer bet than campus investment, survey suggests
Academic and professional services posts to go, with university blaming ‘unprecedented financial challenges’
Multiannual funding programme will ‘retain spirit’ of much-applauded previous scheme, considered ‘step-change’ in Irish research investment
New era of collaboration will benefit both sectors, according to leader who hopes to put ‘efficiency’ skills to good use at one of England’s smallest universities
Country bucks trend of declining enrolments, suggesting policy headaches Down Under matter little compared with what is going on elsewhere, analysis suggests
Yet more universities announce job cuts amid ‘financially challenging environment’
Religious institutions’ governing documents incompatible with OfS rules, says secular society
Higher education and business leaders write to Stormont over the sector’s ‘real and current jeopardy’
Office for Students warns providers against being overly ambitious in their forecasting after financial performance declines for third year running
Scottish university looks to save further ?5.5 million to bring down its deficit, a year after languages cuts
Newly re-elected government urged to treat students with more compassion, with high visa costs ‘putting off a generation’
Dwindling sector finances and geopolitical challenges mean higher education will look very different in five years’ time, summit hears
Institutions expect to consider more subject closures as financial problems spiral, finds UUK survey
After comprehensive election win, Labor faces pressure to push on with wide-ranging agenda for higher education reform that stalled during last parliament
Innovation cluster, new medical school and cautious growth of non-local student numbers high on the agenda of president of leading Hong Kong research university
Regardless of how the courts and voters respond to Trump’s actions, the government’s funding ability is likely to decline, says Nathan Decety
University agrees to reset in relations with campus unions as part of agreement that has also seen marking boycott cancelled
Proposed 60-hour limit another ‘cynical ploy’ to use students to balance the books, representative group says
Australia deemed the least-worst option, following sorrier changes elsewhere, but onshore demand dominates
