English universities over-reliant on overseas students’ fees, report warns

Public accounts committee says institutions potentially exposed to significant financial risks', with 80 declaring annual deficit

Universities in England face danger from financial instability and falling student satisfaction, according to a report by MPs that blames the government and regulators for failing to ensure students receive value for money for their time in higher education.

The report, by the public accounts committee (PAC), says some universities are heavily reliant on overseas students' fees, using that income to cross-subsidise research and other activities - leaving them potentially exposed to significant financial risks" if international student numbers fail to keep growing.