Our Finances

Despite the wider sector headwinds, the University has continued to report a surplus and in the last financial year, excluding the adjustments for non- cash items, the operating performance for the year shows a surplus of £6.0m, representing 4.0% of total income (with the comparable figures for 2023/24 being £5.3m and 3.2%).

Income streams in the University are already well diversified, with Partnerships representing 23% of overall reported Tuition Fee Income and Apprenticeships 12%. Over the course of the last two years, the University has implemented a Target Operating Model to achieve an appropriate cost base in the face of challenges to income and in addition Operating cash generation and liquidity remain robust.

There has been recent major investment in the Stoke-on- Trent campus, with the £100m investment in the Student Village through an innovative partnership model, opening for students in September 2026, and further development to our overall public realm due for completion by September 2027.

In the current financial year income is expected to fall from 24/25 levels, with further interventions in the cost base again expected to maintain an overall operating surplus for 2025/26.

Other pressures on our 2026-27 income include the impact of UK immigration policy, which affects international students. There are also changes to the regulatory landscape for the apprenticeship market. However, the underlying strengths of the institution, and opportunities across the portfolio, lay the foundation for an incoming Vice-Chancellor to lead financial recovery.