Funding pressures being felt by universities are undermining the UK’s ability to become a science superpower, with institutions now considering cuts across the board, a vice-chancellor has warned.
Robert Van de Noort, the historian who runs the University of Reading, said the institution was concerned about whether it will be able to continue its degree apprenticeship scheme and was “seriously looking” at scaling back its support for small businesses in the region.
Decarbonisation programmes and maintenance and infrastructure work were also likely to be affected by cuts, according to Professor Van de Noort, as Reading looks to save money in the face of the rising cost of operating and the ongoing undergraduate fee freeze.
“Us and virtually every university in the country will be seeking further efficiencies, removing offerings that undermine financial sustainability,” he told a parliamentary event on the cost-of-living crisis hosted by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) and Advance HE.
