Universities in Northern Ireland say they would have to cut student numbers if their Stormont funding is reduced.The letter said cutting undergraduate places would have "a fundamental and dangerous impact" on Northern Ireland's future.Its recently published consultation on its 2023-24 budget said it planned to reduce the teaching grant to Northern Ireland's universities by 10% to save about £14m.
The amount of funding provided by the DfE to universities directly affects how many undergraduate places there are for Northern Ireland students.The joint letter to Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris was sent by Queen's University, the Open University, St Mary's University College and Stranmillis University College.only a third of them returned after graduation.
"Further the higher education sector in Northern Ireland has also absorbed a 40% cut in funding since 2011 while other regions and jurisdictions have had significant investment.