The government unveiled a plan for deep cuts in the higher education budget, which in the worst would slash a fifth from university finance, the Sunday Times reports.
If implemented, it would lead to the widespread closure of university departments, and could cause some institution to shut altogether.
According to the Daily Telegraph, at least 100, 000 students face larger class sizes, and less time with tutors as university and colleges job cuts.
Figures published by the University and College Union (UCU) showed universities have already begun preparing for cuts in funding, and suggested almost 6,000 jobs are at risk.
Previously, the government maintains the higher education spending will rise while contingency plans drawing up 20% cuts in public spending across Whitehall, said the Sunday Times.
Vice-chancellors at universities fear their £8.5 billion budget will be among the first to suffer, whichever party wins the next general election.
Richard Pike, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, told the Sunday Times: “We were told by staff at the funding bodies that this was the worst-case scenario they were working on.
“Later another member of staff was in contact with us to confirm the 20% scenario. These is a terrible risk to science.”
Graeme Paton, education editor said in the Daily Telegraph, eight out of 10 of the cuts are being made at universities.
This comes from existing fears over a lack of degree places combined with pressure to deliver greater “value for money”, as well as the following imposition of 3,100-a-year student tuition fees.
Graeme Paton went on to write “the elite Russell Group” members such as Sheffield and Leeds universities are among those considering making redundancies, the UCU source revealed.
Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, told different publications: "In difficult economic times we need to be doing everything we can to help education and the countless potential students who see education as a vital lifeline to improve skills and their opportunities of finding work. The Government may have said it would not let education become a victim of the recession, but those warm words look rather hollow when put up against the hard facts.”
A study by the UCU said 5,891 positions were at risk in the UK - 4,593 at universities and 1,298 at colleges. Over a third of these will be lost in London alone, said the Daily Telegraph.
The study by UCU continuously showed job cuts would be felt across higher education, it warned established institutions would be affected as well as the newer universities, such as London Metropolitan.
At Sheffield University, there would be 340 job cuts, while 100 could go at York and 187 would be cuts at Leeds. A further 160 positions are at risk at Reading University, according to the Daily Telegraph.
However, a spokesman for the department of Lord Mandelson, who is responsible for universities, told the Sunday Times 20% Whitehall plan had not been instigated by minister.
He said: “We remain committed to investing in our world-class higher education system. Funding will increase by over 4% next year and by 25% in real terms since 1997.”
Even if the most drastic option is not imposed, the Sunday Times continues the number on a secret official list of institutions “at high risk” of financial failure is expected to grow from the current seven to as many as 30 next year. This is nearly one fifth of the total.
Figures gathered by The Sunday Times show some universities are tried to resolve financial problems by recruiting more overseas undergraduates.
Those from outside the European Union pay the full cost if tuition – often above £10,000 a year.
University College London spokesman said they had a long-term plan to cut British students and increase its foreign intake.
Another way of helping to plug the financial gap is to increase tuition fees. Minsiters have refused to discuss the issue of raising the £3,225 fee cap in advance of a review by Mandelson, according to the Sunday Times.
The Tories confirmed they were discussing whether tuition fees could be increased.
One option would be for students to pay the extra charge up-front rather receiving taxpayer-subsidised loans, as happens now.
David Willetts, the shadow universities secretary told the Sunday Times: “We will not decide on fees before the review. There are various ideas people are floating and this is one of them.”
20/07/09
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