This week, we’re covering the latest developments across UK Higher Education, from financial pressures and university cuts to international growth and student experience.
Welcome to the latest edition of Burman & Beyond.
This week, we’re covering the latest developments across UK Higher Education, from financial pressures and university cuts to international growth and student experience.
Plus, we take a closer look at the 24 universities facing potential insolvency and share some of our latest opportunities.
HE News: This Week
1. Universities face continued pressure over jobs and cuts
Industrial action is continuing at universities including Edinburgh, Nottingham and Dundee as institutions respond to significant financial pressures. At Edinburgh, staff have begun five weeks of strike action amid plans for major cuts and programme closures.
Why it matters: Financial pressures continue to translate into restructuring, redundancies and changes to professional services teams across the sector.
2. Universities UK calls for financial support in Autumn Budget
Universities UK has submitted its recommendations ahead of the Autumn Budget, calling for measures including protection of per-student funding, greater flexibility around shared services and VAT, and investment in digital and border infrastructure.
Why it matters: The focus on transformation and shared services could have implications for IT, finance, data, change and operational teams within universities.
3. UK transnational education reaches record levels
New UUKi analysis shows that 699,660 students studied for UK university degrees overseas in 2024–25 — a 7% increase year-on-year and 36.6% growth over five years.
Why it matters: With international recruitment under pressure, transnational education is becoming an increasingly important part of universities’ international strategies and revenue models.
4. New 2026 student data published
The 2026 Discover Uni dataset was published on 1 October, including updated National Student Survey information. More than 360,000 students responded to the 2026 NSS, with positive responses increasing across all survey themes compared with 2025.
Why it matters: The data provides universities with fresh insight into student experience and areas where professional services teams can make a difference.
24 UK Universities at Risk of Insolvency
The financial pressure facing UK universities continues to grow, with the Office for Students warning that 24 providers could be at risk of insolvency and market exit within the next 12 months.
For professional services staff, the potential impact is significant, from hiring freezes and restructures to course closures and voluntary severance schemes.
So, what does this mean for staff across Finance, HR, Marketing, Student Services and other professional services teams?
Read our latest insight to understand the risks, what to look out for, and how professionals can stay proactive.
