LONDON - British universities are grappling with widespread job cuts and course closures as financial pressures mount, with experts warning of a sector-wide transformation that could affect students, staff, and local economies.
A report by the University and College Union (UCU) indicates that more than 5,000 job cuts have been announced this academic year, with another 5,000 potentially at risk. Around 90 universities have initiated redundancy programs.
UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said Britain's higher education sector "is on its knees," warning that the impact extends to students.
Franz Buscha, an economics professor at the University of Westminster, told Xinhua that less profitable courses -- particularly in humanities, arts, and social sciences -- are being hit hardest, limiting student choices. He added that non-academic roles are also being affected, with professional support services such as student help centers and mental health assistance often among the first to be cut.
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The crisis extends beyond university campuses, with local economies also feeling the strain. Fewer students and staff translate to reduced spending, Buscha noted, pointing to declining business for cafes, taxis, and rental markets in university towns.
A key factor behind the situation is the weakening of what Buscha calls the "subsidy effect," where international students traditionally helped offset domestic education costs.
Home Office figures show a 16 percent drop in international student visa applications between July and September 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, domestic tuition fees have remained largely unchanged despite rising costs, leaving universities struggling with widening budget gaps.
Christopher Millward, professor of practice in education policy at the University of Birmingham, attributes the situation partly to a slowdown in student enrollment following two decades of rapid expansion. Speaking to Xinhua, he described the current cuts as "a period of rebalancing."
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Calls for government intervention are growing. In a statement, the UCU urged the government to establish an emergency fund to protect jobs and courses in the short term while developing an alternative funding and regulatory model for long-term stability.
Millward suggested that governments should not only focus on "the supply of graduates" but also work to create demand and the capacity to absorb them within the economy.
Despite ongoing challenges, some experts remain cautiously optimistic. Millward predicted a more stable environment next year as universities complete cost-cutting measures and adapt to new financial realities.
