Universities in Wales are facing an unsustainable financial future, says Cardiff Uni VC

Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan, has said universities in Wales cannot continue to lose money or else they will face an unsustainable financial future.

According to Riordan, fixed tuition fees, less public money and high inflation rates are all factors contributing to this uncertainty which could lead to job losses, cutbacks and a decrease in teaching quality.

Whilst the Welsh government claims it has invested significantly in universities, Riordan insists that the UK government is continuously prioritising universities in England.

Not only has the government funding for Welsh universities been limited, in Wales tuition fees have been capped at £9,000 per year, with some institutions being closer to £7,000, the Vice-Chancellor says. While this is the case in Wales, in other parts of the UK, students can be charged up to £9,250 for a full-time undergraduate course. Although this makes universities in Wales a more affordable option for many students, it also puts them at a disadvantage in terms of the funding available to deliver high quality learning, according to Riordan.