Northern Ireland universities face £21m funding cut

Summarised from BBC Northern Ireland's report · Updated 21 Oct, 06:38 · Archive

Northern Ireland's universities face a 6% reduction in teaching funding, totalling £21m.

Northern Ireland's universities are facing a substantial cut of £21m in teaching funding from Stormont, representing a 6% reduction on 2024/25 funding, according to Ian Snowden, the top official at the Department for the Economy. Both Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University are expected to have financial deficits in 2025/26.

The cuts come as the Northern Ireland Executive remains seven months into the financial year without an agreed budget, operating instead under contingency arrangements that allow departments to spend up to 95% of last year's funding. Stormont's economy committee chair Phillip Brett warned that further cuts could mean universities do not receive money for three months for students already enrolled. He said universities took on students expecting funding from the department but have not yet received formal offers.

Ulster University has already announced 450 staff redundancies to save approximately £25m. Further education colleges have also announced major cuts to student places and courses.

Read the report

• Universities face 'substantial' funding cuts amid budget delayBoth Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University are expected to have financial deficits in 2025/26.BBC Northern Ireland · 21 Oct, 00:05

In this story: Queen's University Belfast · Ulster University · Department for the Economy · Ian Snowden · Phillip Brett · Northern Ireland

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