NE Times
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Universities in Turmoil as Job Cuts Mount and Watchdog Warns of Closures

The Office for Students has identified two dozen providers at immediate risk of halting degree courses, with more than 5,000 redundancies announced across the sector and almost half of institutions projected to run a deficit this year.

Eleanor Whitfield

Writer ·

7 min read
An empty lecture hall at a UK university with tiered seating, illustrating the higher education funding crisis
An empty lecture hall at a UK university with tiered seating, illustrating the higher education funding crisis · Illustrative section image

  • Around 45 per cent of providers projected to run a deficit in 2025-26
  • 24 providers at immediate risk of halting courses within 12 months
  • More than 5,000 redundancies announced since 2025
  • Over 12,000 university jobs cut in 2025 alone
  • Two in five institutions considering mergers

Referenced coverage: Our reporting and analysis draws on coverage first reported by Times Higher Education. The NE Times publishes original reporting and independent analysis written by our editorial team. We credit and link the outlets whose primary reporting informed this article.

The NE Times is an independent news and analysis publisher. Our articles combine factual reporting with clearly-written, impartial analysis. Content is for general information and does not constitute professional advice. Disclaimer.

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