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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · 7d

From talking to colleagues across the sector I'm clear there is unanimous support for the need to improve student maintenance - we just don't agree that this is the right way to pay for it.

Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · 7d

So the likely outcome is that this will further damage the financial sustainability of our universities: fewer international students, with a tax on the income from those that remain.

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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · 7d

As there is global price-sensitive competition for these students, many universities may just have to absorb the cost of the levy. As some VCs have observed, in such challenging financial times if universities could increase their international fees by 6% they would have done so already.

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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · 7d

However HE leaders are unified in opposition to the proposed source of funding: a levy - likely 6% - on international fee income. International students, who contribute almost £42bn to the UK economy, may well feel it is unfair to be asked to fund something which doesn't benefit them directly.

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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · 7d

Of course given the growing gap between the value of maintenance loans and actual living costs, these grants need to provide additional funding rather than merely displacing loans. Additional funding without additional debt could be a real driver for social mobility.

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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · 7d

On the one hand the reintroduction of maintenance grants has to be seen as a real positive. Implemented well, this could address a key reason why young people from low-income backgrounds struggle to access higher education: having enough money to live on.

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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · 7d

There has been a somewhat mixed response to the announcement by the Secretary of State for Education on the reintroduction of means-tested maintenance grants, to be funded by a new levy on international student fee income.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

Targeted maintenance grants for students to be reintroduced

Disadvantaged students studying priority courses will benefit from extra financial support to access and excel in higher education.

www.gov.uk

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Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · 16d

One in every three students commutes to university, rather than moving into student accommodation. Our VC @andylong6.bsky.social spoke to the BBC about the financial challenges students are facing & new initiatives from Northumbria to support our commuter students.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

My student loan doesn't cover my bills - so I wear my work uniform to lectures

As students struggle to cover the cost of university, the BBC speaks to young people to find out how they make it work.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · Aug 28

📰🚨 £600 million funding for Holiday Activities and Food programme announced today – with research from Northumbria University being instrumental in the government's decision to commit funding for the next three years.
www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/new...

£600m funding announcement: How Northumbria researchers evidenced the importance of HAF provision

Research from Northumbria University outlining the critical importance of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has been instrumental in the government’s decision to commit £600 million to f...

www.northumbria.ac.uk

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Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · Jun 16

As a university with a social mission at its core, we believe world-leading research & outstanding education has the power to change lives & that everyone deserves the opportunity to benefit. Read in The Guardian how we are shaping futures and driving change…
www.theguardian.com/shaping-futu...

Shaping Futures, Driving Change | The GuardianGuardian Labs

Latest Shaping Futures, Driving Change news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · Jun 9

Northumbria University has been named Higher Education Institution of the Year at the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) Awards 2025, which recognises successful initiatives aimed at widening access to higher education.

💡Discover more:

Northumbria wins recognition for expanding access to higher education

Northumbria University has been named Higher Education Institution of the Year at a prestigious national awards ceremony which recognises successful initiatives aimed at widening access to higher educ...

www.northumbria.ac.uk

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Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · May 13

Universities for North East England could be a blueprint for the rest of the UK, @chrismcdonaldmp.bsky.social has told an event in #Parliament.

Full story: bit.ly/43dokEh

Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University; Professor Paul Croney, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Teesside University; Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University; Professor Karen O'Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University; Professor Sir David Bell, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland.

Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North

Marco Amitrano, Alliance Senior Partner of the multinational professional services network PricewaterhouseCoopers

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Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · May 9

A new project to strengthen collaboration between #NorthEast universities, businesses & others to drive growth and create jobs has received £8.9m from the UK Government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Full story➡️ bit.ly/4dagnUZ

North East universities awarded £8.9m to boost regional research commercialisation

A new project to strengthen collaboration between universities and businesses and others to drive growth and create jobs in North East England has received major funding from the UK Government.

bit.ly

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Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · May 1

💡 Inspiring the next generation of scientists 💡

We are delighted to have signed a new partnership with long-time collaborators, the International Centre for Life, focused on boosting science education and engagement across the North East.

Find out more⬇️
bit.ly/4jC3zcp

#STEM #NUSTEM

New partnership to inspire the next generation of scientists

Northumbria University and the International Centre for Life (Life) have agreed a new strategic partnership to boost science education and engagement across the North East.

bit.ly

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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · Apr 9

All good advice, although in places it does suggest that presenters should be ready to deal with bad behaviour from Exec members. A good chair will, of course, have created a culture which does not allow this!

Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · Apr 3

Another wonderful, uplifting set of graduation ceremonies at @northumbriauni.bsky.social London Campus. We celebrated the achievements of over 600 students - including inspirational honorary graduate Amanda Staveley!

Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · Apr 1

Three experts in public policy, accounting and international relations from Northumbria University are among 64 outstanding social scientists recognised by the @acadsocsciences.bsky.social today.

💡Discover more: www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/new...

#researchexcellence #socialscience #newfellows

Researchers elected to Academy of Social Sciences Fellowship

Three experts in public policy, accounting and international relations from Northumbria University are among 64 outstanding social scientists recognised by the Academy of Social Sciences today.

www.northumbria.ac.uk

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Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · Mar 25

Northumbria's Professor Arlene Astell will lead one of four new dementia research networks announced today, funded by EPSRC and @nihr.bsky.social and in partnership with @alzheimerssoc.bsky.social

Transforming dementia support through technology network

Researchers have been awarded £1.6 million to develop a network which will support people living with dementia by connecting existing technology and services, as well as developing new innovations.

www.northumbria.ac.uk

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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · Mar 17

Huge congratulations @newcastleunited.com - onwards and upwards!

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · Mar 17

There are many things that make Newcastle great... and the Toon Army were absolutely incredible yesterday! 🖤🤍🖤🤍

Huge well done to all @newcastleunited.com - Carabao Cup Winners 2025 ⚽️🏆

Newcastle United @newcastleunited.com · Mar 16

YOUR 2024/25 CARABAO CUP WINNERS 😍

Reposted by Andy Long

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · Mar 7

Congratulations to our amazing Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Rachel Brown, who has won Mentor of the Year at the 2025 Northern PoWEr Women Awards!

Rachel has championed mentorship for decades, guiding students, professionals, and aspiring leaders in the North East.

Amazing work!

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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · Mar 3

Outstanding achievement by Northumbria University graduate Lol Crawley!

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · Mar 3

A MASSIVE well done to Northumbria graduate Lol Crawley who won an Oscar last night!

Lol won the Best Cinematography award for his work on The Brutalist, for which he also won a BAFTA last month.

Lol Crawley with his Academy Award for Best Cinematography

Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · Feb 17

Congratulations to Lol and Jack! So fantastic to see our graduates achieving at the highest level.

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · Feb 17

📽️ It’s been a huge weekend of successes for film, TV and media graduates of Northumbria University…

🎬 BAFTA Film Awards: Lol Crawley won Best Cinematography for his work on The Brutalist and Jack Tarling produced Kneecap, which won Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer...

Lol Crawley with his BAFTA for Best Cinematography (The Brutalist)

Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · Jan 31

As Vice-Chancellor of @northumbriauni.bsky.social I’m proud to lead an institution where we promote fairness in a community where all students and staff feel they belong.

Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · Jan 31

Those working in forward thinking organisations such as universities should not only resist such pressures, we must re-double our efforts in advancement and speak out in support of EDI. Our wonderful, diverse communities deserve nothing less.

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Andy Long @andylong6.bsky.social · Jan 31

This all of course ignores the wealth of evidence - it is well known that diverse teams perform better - let alone the inherent sense of fairness that I believe most of us share.

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