The Intelligence from The Economist Gown and out: are British universities broke?
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Jul 17, 2025 
Mark Johnson, a Senior Editor at The Economist, discusses the troubling financial state of British universities, grappling with frozen tuition fees and declining foreign enrollment. He proposes reforms and government intervention to stabilize the sector. The conversation also dives into the burgeoning amateur football scene in Jiangsu, China, where local rivalries encourage community engagement and boost the economy. Lastly, Johnson explores how Superman's legacy reflects American values and the complexities of foreign policy, depicting his moral dilemmas in a changing world.
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UK Universities' Financial Squeeze
- British universities face financial trouble mainly because the domestic tuition fee has been frozen for nearly a decade while costs rise.
- The government has also limited foreign student numbers, reducing a vital income source for universities.
Cost-Cutting Measures in Universities
- Universities are cutting costs by reducing staff and closing courses, with nearly half of institutions shutting some courses to save money.
- Significant job cuts are underway at universities like Durham, Newcastle, and Lancaster to manage deficits.
Political Response to Funding Crisis
- Labour plans a limited increase in tuition fees, the first in eight years, offering a short-term income bump.
- However, there is no commitment to ongoing inflation-linked fee increases, and bailouts may occur to prevent closures.