University funding and finances
Fee freezes bring down spend per student, as overall funding for education in England reaches historic lows
Some of president’s most audacious cuts have been scaled back or suspended but a year of turmoil is beginning to show in institutions’ bottom lines
Institutions forced to take matters into their own hands as high employer contributions ‘increase likelihood of university closure’
Analysis suggests much of the sector remains mired in financial difficulty with total losses increasing, but rise in income brings hope
MP calls for institution to take steps to restore trust as concerns mount over how it has been run
Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet
University’s plan to cut more than 100 academic roles puts its reputation for inclusive education at risk, fears UCU
SNP announces ‘real terms’ funding uplift pre-election but universities say extra money not enough to combat financial challenges
Prospect of additional support being announced in last budget before polling day as review into higher education funding gets under way
Three-year degrees, international student levy, graduate contributions and role of colleges should all be considered by politicians if universities are to survive, says report
Many of the business schools that prop up universities, in both China and the West, are bankrolled by Chinese families’ ambition. But amid economic slowdown and a growing recognition of the limits of Western practices, the return on investment is now being questioned, as three academics explain
The number of UK universities reporting financial shortfalls for the past academic year continues to climb as some pay out millions in redundancy costs
Universities’ increasing reliance on visa applicants from within the country has so far failed to dent profitability
Incoming president pledges to slash government spending but remains quiet on other higher education issues
Some institutions have lost money after the government failed to cover scholarship costs, forcing them to decide whether to waive fees or lock students out
Increases to staff-student ratios could send university into a ‘death spiral’, says union leader as vice-chancellor insists institution must act now
Scottish National Party minister says financial challenges go ‘beyond party political boundaries’ as official talks set to begin
Lack of financial expertise at board level nearly toppled famed drama school, says leader who picked up the pieces
Newcastle and Bradford also in the red as UK universities continue to publish their annual accounts
Former administration’s tuition fee reforms undermining Albanese government mission to promote equitable enrolments
Cambridge, Queen’s University Belfast and Leicester record shortfalls for the second year in a row as latest accounts highlight sector-wide financial challenges
Charging interest on loans already repaid would be illegal in other sectors, senator highlights
Institutions that charge moderate fees and can’t pass costs on to students likely to be greatest victims of new tax, while some believe policy will help weed out lower-quality players
Holyrood politicians must look at size and shape of tertiary sector, and consider closer research ties with rest of UK, says Anton Muscatelli
Universities face estimated costs of £166.8 million in loss and damage from effects of changing climate, landmark study concludes
First major foray abroad for one of Australia’s top-ranked universities since Singaporean venture closed after just a semester
Institutions say impact of recruitment changes behind difficult financial picture but predict stronger numbers in future
Institution agrees to pay undisclosed sum after cutting unique master’s programme amid review of provision
Regulator announces it is probing governance arrangements at under-pressure institution
Low value of support on offer not enough to move the dial on university access, critics fear
Dark tales abound of various UK universities being at risk of breaching agreements with their banks. But what exactly are covenants? Why have they come to play such a prominent role in the conversation about sector health? And would breaking one really lead to institutional ruin? Helen Packer reports
Limits of current model mean trying something different can be challenging, according to Cara Aitchison, as government discussions start on future university funding
Reprieve for decades-old institution reflects outpouring of community concern and improvement in university’s financial position
Jobs and achievement the new mantra in a ‘refocus on what matters most’ in the tertiary system
Australia’s new higher education steward may lack the power to overhaul widely opposed system of university fees and subsidies
ANZ universities notch ‘major’ new agreements with big publishers, but negotiations with the biggest break down over price concerns
Academics claim changes made to higher education system a decade ago have divided sector into ‘winners and losers’, with government-imposed limits on income exacerbating financial challenges
University told to come up with a plan for financial recovery before it enforces more job losses
Even with boosts in investment and research, can ‘Vision 2030’ really propel universities into the global elite?
Canberra’s ‘intergenerational community’ will help educate the young, house the elderly and ease loneliness for both, advocates say
Skills minister says no higher education institutions are at imminent risk of collapse this year but OfS confirms more than 20 providers are being closely monitored
YouGov survey finds 57 per cent of adults support a proposed tax on tuition fees paid by overseas students, even as universities warn of serious financial consequences
UUK says shortfall in teaching money is ‘baked in’ to higher education funding system as institutions brace for new tax in upcoming budget
In wide-ranging interview, crisis-hit university’s interim principal admits further redundancies are ‘uncomfortable’ for ministers and acknowledges ‘moral hazard’ of £62 million bailout
Last-ditch attempts to minimise harm of incoming tax on international student fees splits sector, as research intensive universities set to save millions but post-92s would pay more
New incentives needed to encourage collaboration and specialisation among providers, conference hears
As government finalises legislation for forthcoming commission, architect expands its to-do list
New modelling suggests one in six English higher education institutions will have less than 30 days’ liquidity in 2025-26
Australia should focus on training required number of fluent experts and leave basic translation to AI, Asia expert says
University leaders should advocate for grants to be diverted to early years education to reduce later attainment gaps, conference hears
New health and welfare payments mandated in country’s budget will leave institutions ‘unable to fulfil their mission’, scholars say
Government and business should pick up the tab for national priorities, says opposition leader turned university boss
More than half of deans say parent universities want them to enrol more students, as leaders express concern over ‘growing disparities’
University says financial uncertainties continue as government’s proposed student levy will ‘wipe out any benefits’ from rising tuition fees
Qantas and McDonald’s move into Australian higher education delivery, offering institutions employer-led pathways and potential new income streams
Most voters believe universities are unduly focused on revenue and their students shoulder an excessive share, survey finds
‘More interventionist, more activist’ stance from government will result in deep changes to the sector, but vice-chancellors say key details missing
Formalising process around market exit would make it impossible for institution to come back from the brink, fears UUK chief
Government commits to raising tuition fees and maintenance loans, with universities expected to deliver higher-quality teaching and more specialised research in return
Buyers likely to require drastic changes to move ahead with sale, experts say, as institution seeks to move on from torrid year
