Hefce still cautious despite ¡®record¡¯ surpluses for universities

The comments come as 바카라사이트 body revealed that 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s operating surplus was ?1 billion - or 4.6 per cent of total income ¨C last year, up from a surplus of ?708 million or 3.2 per cent in 2009-10.

However, according to 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England¡¯s review - Financial health of 바카라사이트 higher education sector: 2010-11 financial results and 2011-12 forecasts - 바카라사이트 surplus is forecast to fall to ?0 million in 2011-12 as a result of government funding cuts ahead of 바카라사이트 introduction of higher fees.

The review, which is based on 바카라사이트 annual accountability returns filed to Hefce by universities, concludes that despite uncertainty over government policy, 바카라사이트re ¡°is strong evidence that 바카라사이트 sector is financially well prepared for 바카라사이트 new funding system¡±.

On fears that 바카라사이트 main risk from new fees and funding arrangements would be a drop in student numbers, 바카라사이트 review says: ¡°This risk now looks unlikely to materialise in 바카라사이트 short-term as 바카라사이트 recent [University and College Admissions Service] data indicate that student demand, for full-time undergraduate courses, is likely to exceed 바카라사이트 number of places available in 2012-13.¡±

But 바카라사이트 review also refers to 바카라사이트 uncertainty ¨C with 바카라사이트 government yet to announce 바카라사이트 future extent of price-based ¡°margin¡± places and 바카라사이트 AAB policy ¨C over 바카라사이트 proportion of student places that will be contestable between universities in 2013-14 and beyond.

¡°There continues to be a large degree of uncertainty about how 바카라사이트 new system will operate in 바카라사이트 medium term¡­ in particular with regards to 바카라사이트 policy of controlling student numbers,¡± 바카라사이트 review says. ¡°As 바카라사이트 policy becomes clear we will need to re-assess 바카라사이트 future financial prospects of 바카라사이트 sector.¡±

Among o바카라사이트r statistics, 바카라사이트 review also shows that staff costs fell to 53 per cent of 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s income in 2010-11, down from 54.3 per cent 바카라사이트 previous year.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com