THE nine universities and five university colleges in the Cathedral Group of church-based higher education institutions are facing cuts of about £1 million for their non-teaching courses next year.
The reduction in financial support from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) amounts, on average, to between four and six per cent of their income for teaching subjects outside the education faculties.
The Cathedral Group’s position is broadly similar to other higher education institutions’. Within the group, Canterbury Christ Church University suffered least, with a 2.2-per-cent cut.
Bishop Grosseteste University College faced what seemed to be the highest reduction (17 per cent). But the deputy principal, Haf Merrifield, said that the percentage was based on last year’s funding, which included a one-off grant of £500,000. “When that is taken into account we are no worse off than anyone else.”
The education commentator Professor John Howson said that, although most higher-education institutions would have prepared for the cuts, which had already been signalled, the effects would be exacerbated by the rise in inflation.
“Institutions will be in a better position in 2012, when HEFCE funding for most courses is withdrawn, because it will be replaced by higher fees,” he said.