Academics and vice-chancellors oppose Mandelson’s universities move
Academics and vice-chancellors from across England’s universities united today to oppose cuts announced yesterday of more than half a billion pounds from their budgets next year.
Vice-chancellors warned of “severe pressures” that would compromise the quality of degrees while academic leaders said the cuts would lead to larger class sizes.
Lord Mandelson yesterday set out the cuts for next year, which include £263m that was already known about and an additional £270m. The £533m reduction leaves a serious hole, reducing the universities’ budget to £7.3bn next year. Universities that over-recruited students this summer – after record applications in the recession – will also be fined £3,700 for each extra student they accepted …