University funding/finances

Widening eligibility for the new round of the initiative would accelerate the balanced development of global higher education in China, says Li Qingquan

Global data show the vulnerable position that some countries were already in before the pandemic hit  

Two years ago, universities claimed to be selling the student experience. So where are our lockdown refunds, asks Maria Magdalena Gajewska

Experts say using differential fees to direct students towards subjects goes against the purpose of higher education, and is also unlikely to work

Fee waivers and clarified work rights arrangements applauded, but worries that the new conditions may be too restrictive

English regulator consults on proposals to force institutions to ‘teach out’ existing students before closing

Government strategy for HE set out in conditions for emergency loans for universities at risk of failure in Covid crisis

Australian university’s financial problems force a restructure and 500 redundancies, but vice-chancellor stresses opportunity in adversity

UCU poll seeks to step up political pressure on ministers to offer extra funding for universities during pandemic

‘Cloud’ discounts and fee and subsidy tweaks could underpin acceptable compromise deal, policy specialist suggests

The differential impacts of the Covid-19 wrecking ball reflect different countries’ priorities, conference hears

If universities don’t commit to underwriting a riskier investment strategy, pension contributions will have to rise sharply, says Bill Galvin

No longer able to recruit from overseas, some colleges pay ‘extortionate’ commissions to recruit from their competitors

New recruits from bloc will pay same fees as other international learners from September 2021 onwards

Aston head Alec Cameron says 50 per cent fall in overseas enrolment revenue is ‘not pessimistic’

The cash injection announced by the government last week is the most ambitious plan of its kind Ed Byrne has seen in 40 years

Smoke and mirrors conceal lack of extra university places, losses to institutions and savings to government, former bureaucrat says

Fee reforms expose lack of understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of university funding policy

Overall, the sector is well placed to deal with the fallout, but those who entered pandemic in weak financial health could be at risk, says report

Crucial MP keeping an open mind but has ‘lots of concerns’ about Australian fee and subsidy reshuffle

Ruling at school level seen as affirming situations involving colleges

Aiming of grants and loans at research-intensive providers raises fears for teaching-focused institutions

Thinktank says lecturers on short-term contracts could lead to worse outcomes for students, as report concludes there are no easy ways to cut university costs

Academics do the numbers on lower fees, increased subsidies and a reduced funding envelope

Announcement ‘seen as bad news’ but ‘not a huge surprise’ following Brexit

Selling income-contingent stakes in the future earnings of graduates is the best way to address the student debt crisis, says Paul Oslington

Fee and subsidy reshuffle curbs universities’ capacity to support their research, but proposed funds could help bridge the gap

With the key selling point of university – meeting people and having a ‘great experience’ – now gone, Andreas Schleicher sees high fees as unjustified and calls for more government investment

While Australia’s fee and subsidy reshuffle favours job-growth areas, student and institutional recalcitrance may blunt its impact

Government’s proposals are contradictory and will torpedo its jobs agenda, humanities lobby warns

With student choice relied on to free up money for more university places, critics question the strategy and potential impacts

Discounted courses ‘are what the country needs’, but the numbers don’t stack up for universities

Winners and losers in minister’s proposal, with vocational degrees set to cost less as humanities fees explode

Staff go despite salary trade-offs, as pandemic lays waste to institutional bottom lines

‘Cherry-picked’ OECD data creates unjustified picture of underfunded sector, analyst says

Figures show that some universities continued accelerating east Asian recruitment despite warnings

Internal border controls could stymie pilot entry proposals, Australian PM warns

Former universities minister Jo Johnson says co-funding model could be a way to help save the under-threat organisation

Reuben College will open to students in 2021 and focus on interdisciplinary research addressing global challenges

Staff at some institutions agree to pay cuts to minimise redundancies, but only under union-sanctioned accord

Nations are increasingly making conscious efforts to propel a subset of their universities into the global elite. But are such aspirations ever met? And, if they are, is that a blessing or a curse for those institutions denied entry to the club? Simon Baker examines the issues and the numbers

The London School of Economics will take a massive hit from loss of international students, highlighting how reliant some institutions have become on their revenue

Ministry of Education’s advice follows spike in ‘discriminatory incidents’ during pandemic

Australian university directs academics to spend up to 80 per cent of their time teaching, despite relatively healthy financial position

A plan to put foreign students in supervised quarantine before studying could rescue international programmes, says Roger Smyth

NSW offer will help ‘bridge the gap’ between Canberra’s lifeline and universities’ needs

‘Personal crisis’ may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for some insecurely employed staff

As annual lobbying spending drops to $75 million, bigger campuses take more control

Choice will guide job cuts, institutions pledge, as sector confronts A$16bn black hole

Move to reject Obama policy seen costing 200,000 borrowers some $11 billion

Ousted student rep, a controversial figure, elicits headlines and backflips

Thinktank says students’ immigration opportunities should also be boosted to protect foreign enrolments

New report weighs in on debate over whether universities put too much emphasis on international students

Survey of academics in region finds widespread predictions of enrolment decline, budget cuts and concerns over lack of preparation for online education

New Zealand’s universities will have to navigate ‘fear’ in the community as they consider how to bring foreign students back

Some universities lack the reserves to shoulder this year’s losses, let alone a half-decade slump

Despite greater focus on students’ learning outcomes, in Europe institutions are still largely assessed on the basis of ‘input’ measures, such as staff-to-student ratios, rather than trickier ‘output‘ measures

German universities report no redundancies, while Dutch staff enjoy a pay rise. Some think the pandemic has vindicated Europe’s low-fee model

New figures ‘understate’ entry bans’ chilling impact on international revenue

Former biotech chief cooperating in expanded investigation