More universities are at risk of falling into debt and some need to make drastic changes to avoid closure, the higher education watchdog said on Thursday.
A report from the Office for Students (OfS) says universities are too reliant on international students and are overly optimistic about income from future student growth, in the face of decreasing student numbers.
The domestic tuition fee of £9,250 a year has been frozen since 2017 and many institutions are reporting a drop-off in overseas students who pay much higher fees.
The annual review of the higher education sector’s financial sustainability found a decline in performance in the last academic year, 2022-23.
It reported lower surplus levels, cash flow and net liquidity, with a “significantly higher” number of universities
