Financial misdealings

[JC4PMPLZ]

4 universities in the headlines this week for dodgy financial issues, Reading, Swansea, Cardiff and De Montfort. And I just saw the scariest vid about crisis and rescue plan at SOAS. Anyone think we are soon to see a major collapse.through the SOAS thing, I became aware of the Student Protection Plans each University must publish. Extremely interesting reading.

Government constantly interferes with the market, the policies, the funding surely it is a matter of time before one goes bust?

I've seen the article about Reading. can you post links to the others?

De Montfort VC just resigned. www.ft.com/content/f1fb6bdc-2e0b-11e9-8744-e7016697f225

SOAS crisis soasspirit.co.uk/news/financial-crisis-strikes-soas/

The Welsh ones I have heard about only on Twitter. Was hoping others might know more.

Depending on the outcomes of Augar I can envisage a small (less than 5) number going under. None of the ones listed though!

It will only take a few going under to take out the current "slack" in the system although it may occur again unless the government decide to impose restrictions on places they can offer again?

The potential 'no loan to those with less than 3 Ds' is effectively a way of imposing restrictions.

What about those that do Access courses, or are older with relevant proven work skills and professional skills? It's not that simple...

A colleague in one of the high performing departments at SOAS told me that they've all been offered a year's salary to leave....

What about those that do Access courses, or are older with relevant proven work skills and professional skills? It's not that simple...

As ever the devil will be in the detail, with Access course likely to be included in the 3xD or equivalent tariff. If it happens (and it's still an if) then likely only to apply to 18-20 year olds starting at year 1.

A colleague in one of the high performing departments at SOAS told me that they've all been offered a year's salary to leave....

Quite a few HEIs currently have voluntary severance schemes. Doesn't mean they're financially about to collapse.

My colleague was very explicit about this offer being tied to SOAS’s current woes, specifically falling student numbers and too many niche courses with low or no demand.

Yep happened where I used to work too, it's looking at a three reduction in salary costs. Those at top of grade cost more £££

My colleague was very explicit about this offer being tied to SOAS’s current woes, specifically falling student numbers and too many niche courses with low or no demand.

Our VS offer is due to the same - most others will be. Still doesn't mean we or they are in financial difficulty, just that the institution needs to streamline.

Yes many need to streamline, the pay to fee income needs to be at the right ratio for long term viability.