Teaching-only and temporary roles bear brunt of UK jobs cull

Academics who lost their jobs at UK institutions last year were largely those in more precarious and teaching-focused roles, figures suggest.

Recent Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) data showed that the number of academics working in the UK fell for the first time on record in 2024-25. New Times Higher Education analysis now shows where these cuts have hit the hardest.

Of the 244,755 academics recorded, the largest share were in teaching and research roles – 105,630 (43 per cent of the total), which was slightly fewer than in 2023-24.

There were 85,170 (35 per cent) in teaching-only roles, which was 4 per cent down on the year before and in contrast to the number in research-only roles, which rose 4 per cent to 52,220 (21 per cent).

In addition, the number in neither teaching nor research roles remained broadly the same, at 1,730 (1 per cent of the total).

Cornelia Lawson, professor of economics of science and innovation at the University of Manchester, said the need for more fixed-term teaching staff for the post-Covid rise in student numbers has now dissipated.

“Contracts are thus not being extended. The decline in international student numbers has been particularly severe and is now also reaching Russell group institutions. This means that not only are contracts not extended, but new posts are not being opened.

“All these pressures relate to teaching and students, hence it is not surprising that teaching posts are most impacted. With the next REF coming up research investment is high, and research posts remain critical to most institutions.”

It had been expected that many universities facing financial difficulties would encourage more of their academics to focus on teaching, with research commitments, particularly at less prestigious universities, under threat.

However data show the number of teaching-only roles fell by 3,555 across the sector last year – the first time on record these numbers have fallen.

Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi, associate dean for law and policing at York St John University, said universities are seeking savings in teaching provision through course consolidation, larger class sizes, or heavier workloads.

“For academics whose roles are primarily teaching-focused, this shift can be particularly destabilising. Teaching specialists often have fewer opportunities to build the research track record needed to compete for external grants, yet universities increasingly emphasise grant capture and research income as indicators of institutional value.”

The Hesa data also show that the number of academics hired on permanent contracts dropped slightly, but the total proportion rose to 72 per cent – the third successive year of increase.

However, the number on fixed-term deals fell by 3 per cent to 69,875 – the lowest number since 2015-16.

And the number of academics on zero hours contracts decreased from 4,075 (1.7 per cent of the total) to 3,440 (1.4 per cent).

This might signal improving employment stability, but Ndzi said the overall picture shows a “structural shift” amid intensifying financial pressures.

“Taken together, the data point to a selective restructuring in which teaching-intensive and more temporary positions absorb much of the contraction, reinforcing longer-term stratification within academic labour markets amid growing financial pressure across the sector.

“If this trajectory continues, the sector may see a further narrowing of academic career pathways, with fewer stable opportunities for teaching-focused scholars and increasing pressure on remaining staff to balance expanding teaching demands with intensifying research expectations.”

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com