NI universities facing multi-million-pound losses due to the coronavirus pandemic

And Ulster University (UU) could face losses of up to £64m over a three year period.

The figures were revealed by the vice-chancellors of both universities to MLAs on Stormont’s economy committee.

The vice-chancellor of QUB, Prof Ian Greer, said the forecast losses were because of a number of factors.

Prof Greer said UK universities as a whole expected to lose £2.4bn in international student fees this year, which he described as a “massive hit”.

“For Northern Ireland, London Economics have forecast a £29m hit on teaching income alone before we add losses from accommodation, conferencing etc,” he said.

“And for Queen’s, our forecast losses look to be in the range of £34m to over £80m.”

Tuition fees from international students brought in about £36m in 2018-19, about 10% of the university’s income.