Cardiff University vice-chancellor criticised over use of language in new cuts threat

Cardiff University’s vice-chancellor has been highly criticised over language choices when threatening further cuts, after she claimed most universities “can’t afford” the Oxbridge model anymore. 

Speaking at a conference held by Times Higher Education at the University of Bath, Vice-Chancellor Wendy Larner claimed that universities must rethink their methods of teaching, as many are still following the examples set by Oxford and Cambridge. She argued this should no longer be the case, saying: “We’re still trying to deliver, in this country, a scaled-up Oxbridge model, and we can’t afford it anymore.”

An anonymous academic told NationCymru that the vice-chancellor’s comments “are an extraordinary way to speak about staff.”

However, a Cardiff University spokesperson has said the vice-chancellor’s comment referencing Oxbridge was “not made in reference to staff.”

Cardiff University faced significant cuts in January 2025. “I think the challenge is really profound,” Prof Larner said in response to the controversial cuts. She asked academics to “run their fingers down the list of every single module” to assess possible cuts, and then added: “I fully expect us to be doing some house cleaning.” 

Cardiff University academics claimed the previous cuts impacted the university’s research capacity, which they see as a crucial element to the university’s Russel Group status.

Following the cuts, remaining lecturers have reportedly been expected to increase their teaching hours but decrease research time. The new allocation of university-funded research time is now 315 hours per academic per year, a decrease of 48 per cent.

Cardiff became part of the Russell Group in 1998, joining 23 other UK universities in the group including Oxford and Cambridge. 

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Research is seen as extremely important for the Russell Group, as highlighted on its website: “By combining world-class research, innovation and education, our universities are generating prosperity, strengthening national resilience and improving lives across the UK and beyond.”

A Cardiff University spokesperson told The Cardiff Tab: “We do not comment on stories based on anonymous sources. Such claims are unverified, push agendas or seek to personally attack an individual. However, we will always respond to questions and provide points of accuracy to help prevent misinformation.  

“The quotes attributed to the vice-chancellor were taken out of context. The key point is that the reference which prompted the concerned comment by the anonymous staff member were not made in reference to staff.

“The comments were part of a wider discussion about changes to pedagogy, curriculum and delivery modes and the need to free up capacity for experiential and problem-based learning by taking out modules and looking at how we can share more. The new Cardiff Futures module was cited as an example of the new offerings under development.  

“Cardiff University’s academic delivery model ensures a baseline of 315 university-funded hours for research (from a total of 1500 hours across all activity), with scope for additional allocations according to strategic priorities and available capacity. Externally funded research time is added on top of the 315 hours. 315 is the absolute minimum research hours. This recognises the importance of research within academic roles, giving staff dedicated time to pursue their research and enabling further flexibility where strategic needs and capacity allow.”

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Featured image via Kerie McCombe under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0