The Virtual Forum for Knowledge Exchange in Mathematical Sciences (V-KEMS) is running a virtual study group in collaboration with the Royal Statistical Society to solve challenges related to Higher Education funding in the UK.
Background
It is well recognised that the University system in the UK is facing a funding crisis. Speaking in May 2025, Vivienne Sterne, chief executive of Universities UK said “The reality for most universities is that they have had to make serious cuts. Falling per-student funding, visa changes which have decreased international enrolments, and a longstanding failure of research grants to cover costs are creating huge pressures in all four nations of the UK.” Reports of Universities in financial trouble are increasing year on year. The increasing cost of living makes some prospective home students less likely to take on student loans, and to question the value of a degree in terms of their future earnings. There is also little political appetite for increased government spending or for a rise in fees to make up for their real term decrease. Sterne goes on to remark “Our universities are something the UK can be genuinely proud of. They contribute over a quarter of a trillion pounds to the economy each year and are essential to the Government’s growth ambitions and the UK’s future economic success. We need them to be firing on all cylinders.”
Aims and objectives
The aims of this virtual study group are to look at the question of funding of UK universities using the tools of data science and mathematical modelling. After hearing from domain experts among university leaders and other stakeholders, we will split into groups to address the general question from different points of view.
Questions addressed could include:
- Is the current funding model for UK Universities sustainable? What are the trends in the data? Can we learn from funding models in other industrialised nations?
- What is the value proposition for the state, private sector, and for the individual to invest in University education and research?
- Can we model the UK higher education sector in terms of flows of people, money, knowledge, academic reputation, social wellbeing and economic success?
- Looking holistically, can we use such modes to investigate ‘what if scenarios’ of different funding models?
The challenges will be facilitated by:
- Daniel Bearup, University of Leicester
- Alan Champneys, University of Bristol
- Jess Enright, University of Glasgow
- Jonathan Everett, Royal Statistical Society
- Robin Mitra, University College London
