University funding/finances

King’s College London reported an operating deficit of £19 million once the impact from pensions and donations are excluded

At least 16 institutions announced plans to shut in 2024, with closures expected to increase significantly in the years ahead

Former University of the Arts London vice-chancellor to lead work aimed at finding ways universities can collaborate to secure savings

Need to meet commitments on loans taken out in boom years forces institutions to accept worse terms and conditions, or look to non-traditional sources for new funding

Polling indicates lack of awareness over sector’s funding turmoil, with public seeing more international enrolments as solution to difficulties

Reforms will redraw funding system and create tertiary education commission, but questions remain over how much cash will materialise

Universities must rethink their use of agents and discounts and put more effort into securing and retaining enrolments, consultant says

Remaining staff will lose access to Teachers’ Pensions Scheme as union attacks ‘Scrooge playbook’ cuts

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reflect scale of growth in post-pandemic, pre-crackdown rebound

Despite the large increases in surpluses, top-ranked universities both report net cash outflows in operating activities of more than £58 million

Government urged to rebalance payments to universities to align with high-cost teaching periods

University leaders warn region’s public institutions will ‘fall behind’ without funding increase

Ministers under pressure to protect struggling universities from bankruptcy

Agreement between coalition and opposition parties to reduce budget cuts does little to assuage sector leaders’ fears 

Bringing institutions under same roof can create efficiencies but won’t solve financial crises in both sectors, leaders agree

Dedicated source of capital funding tops umbrella body’s election wish list

The University of London has been held up as an example of how institutions can collaborate during tough financial times. But how easy would it be to replicate elsewhere?

Ian Gillespie had told staff last month that the university was facing a potential £30 million deficit

The year is ending with an ongoing permacrisis for higher education. Political rhetoric has improved but the sector still needs a vision for its future

While it may be reluctant to attempt widespread reform of universities, economic circumstances may force Labour’s hand, experts believe

Repurposing Covid-era cash allows government to claim extra investment but institutions remain in ‘precarious state’

Increase to ‘ensure Welsh institutions remain competitive’ will be second time fees are hiked in space of a year

Higher education institutions ‘in danger’ as a result of controversial budget measures, umbrella group says, with some closing in protest

Loan scheme pioneer highlights moral hazard of Australia’s ‘Byzantine’ way of bankrolling master’s places

‘Challenger’ institutions dealt blow as regulator temporarily shuts down processes seen as crucial for launching as a provider

‘Big reset’ opportunity now spent when sector most needs it, says Duncan Maskell

Union sees need to borrow for building projects behind latest round of bloodletting

Process for transferring students left stranded by market exit in need of a rethink, says one of the few leaders who has gone through it

Universities should no longer give the ‘cold shoulder’ to businesses that can potentially perform functions more effectively, says Ken Sloan

Shitij Kapur warns sector has already used up a lot of political capital on small fee rise that will not solve institutional funding woes

UK sector leaders expect trust issues as culture changes, but ‘burning platform’ of financial crisis will focus minds

Emerging institutions’ aspirations snubbed as old-guard administrators focus on a vanishing bottom line

‘Invisible regulators’ to ask harder questions of UK sector investment decisions, professor claims

Keeping costs down ‘not an objective’ for research-addicted sector, says accountancy professor  

Protest comes as House of Representatives prepares to debate controversial cuts to higher education and research of more than €1 billion

Questions cause alarm but the panel ‘wouldn’t be doing its job’ if it avoided them, commentators say

‘Quite a few’ institutions actively considering mergers, claims David Maguire

Little prospect of convincing politicians or the public of the need to raise fees higher, leaving universities dependent on an upturn in economy and international student market, says Shitij Kapur

Better to revise the previous government’s tuition fee hikes than redirect taxpayers’ money into wealthy graduates’ pockets, says Maxwell Yong

As questions about the size and shape of UK higher education persist, debates about the part number controls could play are making a comeback

English fee rise does little to relieve pressure on institutions, with increased staff costs likely to swallow additional funding

The removal of recruitment caps in 2015 was hailed by ministers as a boon to institutions’ and students’ ambitions. But the tuition fee’s declining value and the Russell Group’s ever-growing market share now threaten the viability of some institutions, and calls are growing for a U-turn, writes Juliette Rowsell

Announcement follows the departure of 400 staff members last year as efforts to close budget black hole continue

Universities need £60 million boost from Holyrood budget to avoid further cuts to per-student funding, says IFS

Few universities confirm plans to charge full uplift to all undergraduates, with sector set to miss out on millions in extra revenue

Union says withdrawal of some business degrees ‘raises serious questions’ but university insists it is separate to wider restructure

Any new home undergraduate enrolling on a course at University College Birmingham will be eligible for the allowance

Staff fear cost-cutting motivations behind university’s drive for more secure employment

Lower than anticipated student recruitment worsening financial situation for more institutions, according to OfS analysis

Ensure that your exit causes minimal inconvenience, regulator tells private colleges

New LSE vice-chancellor discusses ‘Wild West’ US, dealing with campus protests and the personal turmoil that led him to make the switch to London

John Cater, who is set to retire after 31 years at the helm of Edge Hill University, warns that sector finances have never been more challenging

Wartime austerity could slash research output and disproportionately hit disadvantaged students, sector leaders warn

Latest redundancy round militates against the government’s growth aspirations, observers warn

Science Tokyo head says joining forces is an ‘effective strategy’ for institutions facing funding and demographic shortfalls

Horse set to follow the cart, as critics warn of perverse consequences

Increase in amount paid by undergraduates will not cover additional staff costs imposed on institutions in the budget

Bridget Phillipson confirms inflationary fee rise and adds £414 extra per year to maintenance loans

Some A$15 billion of student debt relief will do almost ‘nothing’ to help cash-strapped Australian institutions

Poll finds third of UK undergraduates worried for future of their institution amid funding crisis