Welsh government review seeks “new approach” for research
The Welsh government’s major review of higher education has formally commenced with the publication of the terms of reference – though the review chair and panel membership will not be announced until September.
The review covers the breadth of the nation’s higher education system, from university financial sustainability and governance to student support, graduate destinations, and alternative pathways. On research, the Welsh government notes from the start that UK government reforms to research funding – such as UKRI’s new budget allocation system – will “require a new approach for Welsh institutions to remain at the forefront of research and innovation.”
Among other topics, the panel is asked to make policy recommendations which will enable Welsh universities to “deliver globally competitive research” which additionally “brings economic investment to Wales.”
Areas in scope of the review include the financial sustainability and efficiency of higher education institutions, and the appropriate structure of the nation’s higher education sector – as well as “funding for, and the quality of, research and innovation in universities.” But the review’s recommendations are required to be “fiscally neutral,” at least when it comes to resource expenditure on higher education and student grants, though this likely applies to capital funding (such as for research) as well.
University funding and Wales’ student support system will be the review’s first priority – the panel is explicitly asked to make suggestions about how to increase the proportion of student funding which is spent within Wales – as demonstrated by the deadline for the first phase report on this issues, due in summer 2027. The panel will not pronounce on the wider issues in scope for the review until winter 2027–28.
Recommendations will be delivered to Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell, deputy minister for tertiary education, who will “consider its recommendations for future policy.” On student support policy changes in particular, the intention is for changes to be in place for the 2028–29 academic year.
A written statement to the Welsh Senedd from the minister describes the review as “an opportunity to think boldly about universities’ future contribution to Wales.” The chair of the review will be “highly experienced and independent,” supported by a “small” expert panel from inside and outside of Wales as well as a Welsh government secretariat. A stakeholder advisory group, consisting of key stakeholder organisations, is also being established.
In the run-up to the May elections, Plaid expressed its intention for the review to be cross-party. In today’s terms of reference, we see that the review chair will “meet regularly with appropriate spokespeople of the opposition parties in the Senedd,” and be available for committee scrutiny.