The University of Plymouth could cut up to 200 jobs due to a significant fall in income. The institution has started consultations with staff and unions, and is also reviewing the future of its Levinsky Gallery and Jill Craigie Cinema, which are open to the public, as part of urgent cost-saving measures.
The university, which made close to 100 redundancies last year, aims to limit the number of compulsory job losses this time around. However, it has experienced rising costs and a 10% drop in income.
The financial struggles are not unique to the University of Plymouth, as Parliament prepares to examine how the higher education sector is managing tuition fee freezes, a decline in international students, and soaring costs.
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A spokesperson for the University of Plymouth said: "Along with the rest of the 海角视频's higher education sector, the University of Plymouth is operating in a very financially challenging environment.
"Thanks to careful financial management and planning, Plymouth is well-placed to weather the storm, but we've seen increases to costs that are outside of our control combined with a 10% drop in income, so we must act now to cut budgets.
"As things stand, the proposals we're considering could affect around 200 roles, but this is subject to change as we consult with colleagues and trade unions.
"We are doing everything we can to make savings and avoid compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of our student experience, which is our number one priority."
The University of Plymouth is also contemplating the future of the Levinsky Gallery and Jill Craigie Cinema. The gallery is known for its year-round exhibitions and hosting events like the British Art Show 9.
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Meanwhile, the cinema, located in the Roland Levinsky Building "showcases a diverse schedule of contemporary independent films, hidden gems of past cinema and critical documentaries".
Last year, the university reported a surplus of £24.1m, achieved by increasing the intake of foreign students and making 91 staff redundant through a "targeted voluntary redundancy scheme" and restructuring programmes aimed at "ensuring longer term financial sustainability".
The university's annual report and financial statements up to July 2024 revealed that nearly £3m was paid to departing staff. Over recent years, the university has seen a significant reduction in staff numbers, with 566 employees leaving during 2018 and 2019, and an additional 44 staff departing in 2020.
The university's annual report disclosed a £7.6m increase in tuition fees collected last year, with over half of it coming from international students. The 93-page document stated that the university had "performed well" to deliver an operating surplus of £24.1m, attributing this to robust financial management, particularly in controlling the institution's costs.
However, experts have warned that the higher education sector is facing a crisis, with escalating costs and a decline in international students. In May 2024, news magazine The Week reported that more than 25% of the higher education sector was making job cuts, while the Guardian revealed that 40% of England's universities are grappling with budget deficits.
Universities 海角视频 released survey results this week from 60 institutions, indicating that the sector is "gripping the financial reality it faces".
It revealed that half of the respondents had been compelled to close courses to cut costs, more courses were being merged, more modules were being made optional and 18% had even shut down entire departments.
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Furthermore, 88% indicated they were considering further course closures and consolidations in the next three years.
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