UK higher education funding

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

After a shambolic Budget day, it is hardly surprising that universities have been landed with a costly and overcomplicated international student levy, writes Nick Hillman

Fee caps for next two academic years confirmed by government post-budget, as students fear extra support will ‘barely scratch the surface’

Chancellor confirms details of controversial tax on income from overseas students, while universities also expect to be hit by changes to pension tax rules

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

New modelling suggests one in six English higher education institutions will have less than 30 days’ liquidity in 2025-26

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

Formalising process around market exit would make it impossible for institution to come back from the brink, fears UUK chief

Buyers likely to require drastic changes to move ahead with sale, experts say, as institution seeks to move on from torrid year

UUK calls on government to hit pause on fee levy plans amid fears chancellor will progress policy next month

Proposed job losses almost triple since March as unions prepare to vote on nationwide industrial action

Specialist institutions could be subsumed without high-level oversight of sector consolidation, MPs warned

Universities projected to dip into the red next year due to falling fee income and rising staff costs, with any long-term recovery likely to be uneven

Turnout required to move ahead with industrial action ‘very hard’ to achieve, say academics

Students from rural and disadvantaged areas disproportionally affected by subject cuts, British Academy warns

Big cities outside London ‘do not pull their weight’ in the innovation economy, warns Centre for Cities report

Looking at existing services offered by other providers before tendering could help universities save up to 10 per cent, report finds

Politicians set red lines in cross-party talks that sector hopes could be start of a longer-term funding solution for universities

Majority of those participating in consultative ballot say they would take part in industrial action after being offered 1.4 per cent rise by employers

Avoid ‘faux’ competition and do not deny reality, analysts warn, as UK-style funding crunch looms

Gloucestershire eyes civic engagement and new revenue streams after saving department store building

Religious studies under threat as universities close courses to save money

Healthcare courses can lead reform of ailing system but only with more government support, says new chair of Medical Schools Council

No incentive for wealthy institutions to support initiatives such as bespoke clearing scheme, experts fear, as policymakers face hurdles in developing process for market exits

Co-branded campuses and partial mergers expected to become more common in face of higher borrowing costs

Liverpool Hope and Manchester to provide support as Spurgeon’s College shuts after nearly 170 years

Leeds Trinity and Canterbury Christ Church among institutions hardest hit after slashing of Strategic Priorities Grant

More regular payments for per-module study would help even out income over course of a year, according to new Open University leader

Search warrants executed at seven properties in north-west and south of England, two months after suspension of vice-chancellor George Holmes

Several student protection directions active in last financial year, with 71 institutions subjected to formal monitoring

Sustainable business plan and programme diversity key, says vice-chancellor who stepped in to save historic institution

Research-intensive universities face £315 million bill for proposed fee levy, adding to pressures caused by massive erosion of fee value, says lobby group