Almost half of UK universities surveyed have shut down courses in response to growing financial pressures, new research shows.��

A survey of 60 higher education institutions has revealed that the choices available to students are being reduced, with the majority of universities implementing cost-cutting measures in response to a sector-wide financial crisis.��

Of those who responded to the Universities UK (UUK) survey, 49 per cent have closed courses. This figure has almost doubled in the past year alone, up from 24 per cent.��

In addition, 55 per cent have consolidated some courses, while 18 per cent have closed entire departments.��

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The cutbacks come as universities face mounting cash flow problems, with almost a third of those that had published their 2023-24 financial accounts in January posting a deficit.��

Nearly all respondents (88 per cent) say they may need to consider further course closures or consolidation of courses over the next three years.��

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“The reality for most universities is that they have had to make serious cuts,” said Vivienne Stern, chief executive of UUK.��

“Falling per-student funding, visa changes which have decreased international enrolments, and a longstanding failure of research grants to cover costs are creating huge pressures in all four nations of the UK."

The number of respondents making compulsory staff redundancies is also on the rise, with a quarter doing so, compared with 11 per cent this time last year.��

Institutions including the universities of Edinburgh, Derby and Nottingham announced job cuts in April 2025, joining a growing list of those being forced to reduce their workforces.��

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The survey also found that universities are “trying to protect” student hardship and bursary funds, with these areas the least likely to have faced cuts so far, but UUK warned that almost half of universities said they might need to consider this in the next three years.��

Institutions also expect research to be impacted, with 19 per cent already reducing investment in research and 79 per cent considering future reductions.

It comes as the sector body prepares to publish the findings of its efficiency and transformation task force, which has been charged with recommending ways universities can operate more efficiently.��

Speaking at an event last week, Nigel Carrington, chair of the task force, called for a new intermediary body to help facilitate change in the sector, as well as a transformation fund.�� 

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In a statement, Stern added that universities want to reduce costs and barriers posed by government regulation to “get the barnacles off the boat” and get universities “firing on all cylinders”.

“We need governments in all four nations of the UK to do their bit,” she said. “That means increasing per-student funding; stabilising international student visa policy; and working with us to sort out the research funding system.”

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helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com