The Guardian view on Cambridge’s £190m gift: billionaires won’t fix universities’ problems | Editorial
Philanthropy increases the gap dividing highly selective, elite higher education from the rest. Ministers need a plan for the sector overall About 2% of UK universities’ income came from donations and endowments in 2024-25 – slightly less than the previous year. At a time when charitable giving overall is down , the announcement last week of a record £190m donation to the University of Cambridge deserves to be welcomed. Higher education funding should not depend on the choices of rich individuals. But education is a social good and philanthropy has a role to play. The donor is Chris Rokos, a British billionaire hedge fund manager who describes himself as a socially liberal centrist and has previously given money to the Conservative party. The money will fund a postgraduate school of government that is intended to rival the one at Oxford, which was controversially funded by, and named after, the Ukrainian-born billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik . Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here . Continue reading...
The recent announcement of a £190 million donation to the University of Cambridge by billionaire hedge fund manager Chris Rokos has sparked debate over the role of philanthropy in higher education. While the gift is undeniably significant and could be seen as a cause for celebration, it also highlights the growing disparity between elite institutions and the rest of the sector. Ministers must take a comprehensive view of higher education funding, as relying on the choices of wealthy individuals is neither sustainable nor equitable.
In the 2024-25 academic year, just 2% of UK universities' income came from donations and endowments, a figure slightly lower than the previous year. This comes at a time when overall charitable giving is on the decline. The record-breaking donation to Cambridge, intended to fund a postgraduate school of government, is a testament to the potential of philanthropy. However, it also underscores the risks associated with such reliance, particularly when the sector as a whole is facing financial pressures.
Higher education is a social good, and philanthropy can play a valuable role in supporting institutions and initiatives that might otherwise struggle to secure funding. The donation to Cambridge's new postgraduate school of government is intended to rival the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford, which was itself controversially funded by the Ukrainian-born billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik. Both gifts have been instrumental in enhancing the profiles and capabilities of these institutions, but they also raise questions about the broader implications for the sector.
The decision to accept such substantial donations from wealthy individuals raises concerns about the potential for undue influence over academic agendas and research priorities. There is a risk that institutions could become overly reliant on the whims of donors, rather than focusing on the needs of society as a whole. This could lead to a narrowing of perspectives and a failure to address the most pressing issues facing society.
Moreover, the reliance on philanthropy can exacerbate existing inequalities within the higher education sector. Elite institutions, which already enjoy significant advantages in terms of resources and reputation, may continue to outpace others, further widening the gap between them and less privileged institutions. This could have long-term consequences for social mobility and the overall quality of education available to different groups within society.
Given these challenges, it is crucial for ministers to develop a comprehensive strategy for higher education funding that goes beyond the limitations of philanthropy. This could involve exploring alternative sources of income, such as government grants or partnerships with industry, as well as implementing policies to promote greater equity and accessibility across the sector.
Ultimately, while philanthropy can be a valuable tool for supporting specific initiatives and institutions, it should not be the sole or primary driver of higher education funding. The sector needs a more robust and inclusive approach to ensure that it can meet the needs of all students and society as a whole. The recent Cambridge donation serves as a reminder of the potential benefits and risks of relying on the generosity of wealthy individuals, and it is up to policymakers to navigate these complexities and shape a more sustainable future for higher education.
