01.02.10
1994 Group responds to HEFCE announcement of university funding for 2010-11
Responding to today’s announcement Paul Marshall, Executive Director of the 1994 Group of leading research-intensive universities said:
“The recently announced cuts to higher education funding seems incompatible with the ambitions the government recently set out in its own framework for higher education, despite HEFCE’s efforts today to distribute these cuts fairly.”
“The challenges facing the higher education sector today are numerous, complex and serious. Maintaining the quality of the UK's universities is paramount. What the HE sector needs most of all is a stable and sustainable funding environment to enable universities to deliver the economic and social value, through research and teaching, that our nation needs.”
“The Higher Education sector must continue to make a powerful public case for investment by promoting the huge contribution that universities make to the economy and society. The higher education funding review must set out a sensible and robust system of funding that does not simply resolve our immediate funding crisis but delivers a genuine vision for higher education that can be shared by institutions, students, taxpayers and government in the longer term”
Notes to Editors
1. On the 1st of February 2010 (today) HEFCE set out the provisional distribution of funding to universities and colleges in 2010-11 following the Secretary of State’s grant letter of 22 December 2009.
2. The 1994 Group represents 19 of UK's leading student-focused research-intensive universities. It was established in 1994 to promote excellence in University research and teaching.
3. In 17 major subject areas 1994 Group universities are the UK leaders achieving 1st place in their field (THE RAE subject rankings 2008). 57% of the 1994 Group's research is rated 4* 'world-leading' or 3* 'internationally excellent' (RAE 2008, HEFCE). 7 of the top 10 universities for student experience are 1994 Group Universities (2009 National Student Survey) 1994 Group members include 10 of the top 18 universities in the UK in The Guardian University Guide League Table published on the 12th May 2009.
4. The 1994 Group represents: University of Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Institute of Education University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Reading, University of St Andrews, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, University of York.
5. Press enquiries please call Alisatir Jarvis on 07779 232731