Bangor University announced a few weeks ago that they plan to cut the equivalent of about 78 full-time positions. This proposal is part of saving £5.3 million through their new strategy. Welsh universities’ fiscal crisis has reached a tipping point. This decision comes on the heels of disappearing international student enrollment and increasing cost of keeping spaces open. The impact This environment is indicative of wider trends that are putting extreme pressure on higher education institutions across the UK.
Professor Burke said that the university’s vice-chancellor warned that the institution was facing a “once-in-a-century” level of change required by financial pressures. At the start of their financial year Bangor University announced plans to reduce their staff budget by 200 jobs to save £15 million. Now, they’ve made that target a bit more realistic, changing it to 78 new positions. These changes are an effort to address the university’s budget with today’s economic realities. In particular, they tackle the impact of the recent changes to national insurance made by the UK government.
Welsh universities are hard-hit by the increasing cost of living. Yet at the same time, they’re experiencing a drop in their international student count, a key source of their revenue. As Professor Burke explains, many institutions have depended more and more on tuition from these students to fill the financial holes. He remarked that “the situation in Wales reflects the broader national picture,” emphasizing the need for systemic changes within the sector.
After a sustained fightback Bangor University has managed this year to win a suspension of compulsory redundancies. This was made possible by the thousands of employees that took voluntary redundancy. The combined cost-saving steps the university has taken is astounding in their breadth and innovation. Through strict financial controls and voluntary severance options, it has found relative calm in these tumultuous waters.
In January, the Welsh government implemented emergency measures, including partial compensation of universities’ lost income. They provided an extra £20 million in support of the sector. As Professor Burke explained, UK undergraduate home fees have been stuck at £9,000 since 2012, frozen in place. This freeze has not even kept pace with inflation. He stated, “a small uplift to the fee has been agreed for those students that start in September 2025,” but this increase may not be sufficient to address ongoing budgetary issues.
To engage with stakeholders, Bangor University will conduct a month-long consultation period, allowing staff and students the opportunity to voice their opinions on where job cuts should be implemented. It is our hope that this consultation will promote transparency, accountability, and meaningful public participation in the extraordinary decision-making process as we navigate this difficult period.
Professor Burke articulated the dire state of higher education financing. He claimed that tuition fees are already “well short” of covering the costs which have increased significantly. He expressed concern that “recent press speculation about migration controls” could further exacerbate the decline in international student numbers, posing additional challenges for the university’s financial stability.
