Struggle for Financing UK Universities: Industrial Policies vs Journalistic Perspectives
In a recent development, the UK government has announced plans to divert funding away from media and communications courses, including journalism, towards subjects more directly tied to its industrial strategy. This shift in funding priorities has sparked a strong response from the media sector and raises concerns about the future of journalism education in the country.
The Office for Students (OfS) distributes the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) and has been instructed to "reprioritise" funding away from journalism, media studies, publishing, and information services courses. The government acknowledges the "invaluable role" of journalism but argues that its funding priorities must reflect areas "set out in the Industrial Strategy".
Universities are struggling to cover the extra expenses of running high-cost courses, with government grants dropping by almost 20 per cent since 2019. As a result, the cost reduction for journalism training at British universities means these programs will likely face financial constraints, potentially affecting the breadth and quality of education offered to students.
The government's aim to target high-cost funding towards industrial growth strategies has led to a growing gap between supply and demand for high-cost courses. Enrolment has fallen from 52 to 47 per cent of total provision between 2016 and 2024, despite nearly 15 per cent rise in applications.
Funding will instead be directed into high-cost STEM and healthcare programs, as well as courses linked to strategic growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, life sciences, clean energy, defence, and financial services. Graduates of high-cost subjects are 1.5 times more likely to work in government-designated growth sectors three years after leaving university.
The decision has sparked a strong response from the media sector, with four journalism education bodies and the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) launching the "Save Quality Journalism" campaign. Joanne Forbes, chief executive of the NCTJ, stated that the move sends "a damaging message about the value of journalism education at a time when quality, trusted journalism is more important than ever".
The strain is also being felt in research and development, with nearly 80 per cent of universities considering further reductions in academic R&D spending over the next three years. Almost 20 per cent of institutions cut back on academic R&D spending last year. University research generates an estimated £63bn for the UK economy, with every £1 of public investment returning £9.90 through research and knowledge exchange, and supporting more than 120,000 jobs.
Ministers argue that journalism courses will still benefit indirectly from a 3.1 percent rise in tuition fees for the new academic year. However, universities have expressed concerns that cuts could exacerbate existing pressures in the journalism education sector. Khan expresses concern that the changes could reverse progress on widening access, as high inflation and reduced funding for student maintenance and living expenses could affect underrepresented backgrounds.
Universities are no longer able to supply the delivery of some courses due to the government’s funding changes and their own financial struggles. Meeting the government’s ambitions for growth and productivity will require more graduates in high-cost fields, not fewer. The campaign warns that the cuts risk undermining "access, quality and opportunity" in an area of study already under financial pressure.
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