# Rise in students reporting value for money despite universities’ financial woes

By Prof Elaine Limond — 2026-06-10

Prof Elaine Limond, vice-dean of Business School at University College Birmingham, said: “It’s encouraging to see more students reporting value for money, especially at a time when universities themselves are under financial strain.

“But the survey also reflects a deeper truth: students (and their families) are still navigating rising living costs, working long hours to stay afloat, and even questioning whether the system is designed for the realities of their lives.

“University College Birmingham has recognised the pressures our students face and already taken several proactive steps to address them.

“Our £6,000 Cost of Living Allowance, the Two‑Day Degree model and our fully funded Employers’ Scholarships are all designed to reduce pressure where it’s felt most.

“And with paid placements embedded into over 60 per cent of our courses, we’re responding directly to what employers keep telling us – that graduates need meaningful experience to hit the ground running.

“If students are feeling greater value for money, it’s because universities are adapting.

“The challenge now is to ensure that support and opportunity keep pace with the pressures, and that we build a model of higher education that works for the world they’re entering, not the one we used to know.”

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