CommentaryInternational EducationTop Stories

Helping universities compete for the best young minds

University funding is complex. More often than not, universities face funding policies that reflect historical arrangements and national politics rather than forward-looking strategies and principles. According to the Grattan Institute1, international students are now the biggest source of revenue for Australian universities. At the same time, however, funding from the Commonwealth Government – traditionally an important source for Australian institutions – is falling away, with industry body Universities Australia reporting a $2.1 billion reduction over the past 18 months, along with further cuts of $328 million to research. With current government funding for student places frozen at 2017 levels, it is estimated the real reduction will amount to a 5 per cent cut by 20202. Australia is not alone in this regard, with US Federal Budget proposals released earlier this year flagging funding cuts to the US Education Department by as much as 12 per cent next year3. Overall, it’s fair to say that government funding levels for higher education institutions in developed countries are unlikely to be on an upward trajectory anytime soon.

Please login below to view content or subscribe now.

Membership Login

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button

To continue onto Campus Review, please select your institution.