Number of managers in higher education has risen at twice the rate of academics

 The full-time equivalent number of managers has increased by 40% since 2003-04. At the same time the number of academic staff only increased by 19%. In other words, the number of managers has risen at more than twice the rate of the number of academics (see table below).

Meanwhile the full-time equivalent ratio of academics (including teaching-only, research-only and teaching-and-research academics) to managers has fallen from 10.8:1 to 9.2:1, according to UCU analysis of data provided by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

More details on staff in UK higher education have been released today by HESA and can be found here

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Despite the fact that there has been a large increase in the number of students in recent years, there has been a larger increase in the number of managers than academics.

'We have raised fears about the changing nature of universities as the market in higher education continues to grow. However, institutions and government must never lose sight of universities' key roles in teaching and challenging students. That is always going to require top-quality staff given the time and resources to perform those roles.'

Managers and academics in UK higher education