Bangor University to cut around 200 jobs amid financial struggles

Similarly, the University of South Wales (USW) disclosed on Wednesday its intention to reduce its workforce by 90 positions.

A response from the UK government has been sought regarding the matter, BBC added.

Several universities across the UK have reported financial difficulties, leading to job losses. Cardiff University, for instance, has outlined plans to cut 400 jobs.

Bangor University, which has around 10,000 students and an estimated 650 academic staff, is offering voluntary redundancy to non-academic staff as well.

The vice-chancellor stated that while the university is extending its ongoing voluntary redundancy scheme, compulsory redundancies might become necessary.

Prof. Burke acknowledged the severity of these sector-wide financial challenges.

In autumn 2024, student enrollment figures were lower than in 2023, missing budget expectations. The intake of home undergraduates was 7 per cent lower overall, with a drop of 11 per cent when excluding medicine.

International student enrollment also declined, with the number of international postgraduate students in September being around half of what it was in 2023.

Staff were invited to a meeting on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the proposed cuts and voice their concerns.

Declining International Enrollment

Prof. Burke noted that while tuition fees for incoming students will rise to £9,535 from 2025/26, there is no guarantee that future inflation adjustments will be accounted for in funding per student.

He explained that UK universities have relied more on international student income to offset the shortfall caused by home fees failing to keep pace with inflation.

However, government policies aimed at reducing immigration have contributed to a decrease in international student enrollment.

He added that the new UK government does not appear to have any plans to reverse these policies.

Compounding the issue, some high-ranking universities have reportedly responded to the decline in international enrollments by lowering entry requirements and admitting more home students, shrinking the available pool of applicants for other universities.

To reduce expenses, Bangor University has relocated staff from certain buildings and is planning to sell them.

Prof. Burke expressed confidence that these difficult choices, if executed successfully, would help restore financial stability and sustainability to the institution.

Meanwhile, Cardiff University has contacted 1,800 academic staff who could be affected by its planned 400 job cuts.

The university aims to minimize layoffs by encouraging voluntary redundancies.

On Tuesday, the minister responsible for higher education in Wales urged universities to explore all possible options, including drawing from financial reserves, to mitigate job losses.

Vikki Howells, the minister overseeing the sector, announced an additional £19 million in funding for higher education on Tuesday, despite earlier stating that no extra financial support was available.

During a Senedd session on Wednesday, Plaid Cymru MS Luke Fletcher called on Ms. Howells to take action in light of the proposed job cuts at Bangor and Cardiff Universities.

A Welsh government spokesperson told the BBC that they acknowledge the concerns surrounding the financial situation in higher education and the impact on staff and students.

The spokesperson added that ongoing efforts include new legislation, the establishment of Medr—the body responsible for funding and regulating Welsh universities—and an allocation of £18.5 million to help institutions lower their operational costs.