Lancaster University defends overseas campuses as staff face job cuts

The university has also defended its business model and practices with suppliers, contracts and partners including Australia-based Navitas.

Lancaster University reacted after a local leader of the University & College Union (UCU), which represents academic staff, claimed it was ‘perverse’ to be opening a campus in India while at the same time, staff face potential redundancy at the Bailrigg campus.

Fewer international students are among the reasons why Lancaster University needs to save £35million, university bosses have said. But the UCU trade union, along with some Lancaster city councillors, have queried the redundancy plans and called for more information about the university’s finances and decision-making.

A university spokesperson said this week: “Lancaster University has built a sector-leading reputation for high-quality transnational education. The university’s network of campuses and teaching partnerships already brings international education to communities in Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, China and Ghana.

“This has been part of strategic planning by leadership at the university in response, in part, to changes in international student markets. Working in partnership with education partners, including Navitas, other international universities and communities around the globe, we are determined to bring Lancaster’s high-quality education to students wherever they wish to study.”

The spokesperson added: “It is important to note that by working with partners our model means that we do not put capital funds at risk overseas. For reference, income from the partnerships in 2024-25 was circa £17.1 million, with direct expenditure of circa £12.4 million. This net income supports staff costs on the Bailrigg campus.

“These partnerships strengthen our overall position, operate in support of our long-term strategic ambitions to be globally significant and build our reputation in-country, boosting direct recruitment and providing other opportunities.

“The university’s relationship with all suppliers follows external procurement good practice standards and larger contracts are subject to regular review and monitoring.”

Navitas is an Australia based education organisation which works with universities across the world. These include a number of UK universities including Lancaster. Navitas has declined to comment on the recent UCU accusations, suggesting Lancaster University respond instead.

In Lancaster, university staff in the UCU who potentially face job cuts have taken action this autumn against compulsory redundancies. But their work-to-rule was recently frozen, along with plans for all-out strikes, after university bosses halted a plan for any compulsory job cuts until at least July 2026.