Utrecht University once again with a surplus of millions

The fact that the university has a surplus at the end of the year is hardly news anymore. It has become a recurring pattern. In 2024, UU registered a surplus of 30 million, even though a deficit of 27 million euros had been expected. But the fact that such a large surplus persists amid severe cutbacks raises eyebrows.

The fourth quarterly report for 2025 (Q4) shows that Utrecht University (UU) has ended the year with a surplus of 25 million. This figure is still subject to change, as the auditors have not yet verified it. 

The surplus is due to unexpectedly high income and cost-saving measures implemented by the faculties and services. For instance, the university received more government funding for wage and price controls than expected. UU also received a grant that partially offsets the matching costs for research grants. Faculties often incur costs in securing a research grant, and sometimes a condition is that they must also make a contribution of their own. These are the so-called matching costs.

The university also received higher interest from the bank, and the revenues from Utrecht Holdings (which applies for patents for inventions made by Utrecht scientists, among other things), were higher than expected. Income from research commissioned to UU scientists was also higher than anticipated.

Savings
The university also managed to save money in 2025. The university has told its employees to hire fewer external staff, travel less for work and take a critical look at filling vacancies. It looks like this advice has been followed, as savings were made across the board. Compared to 2024, the number of FTEs has fallen by 94 to 7,188 FTEs. The number of unused off days also fell significantly.

The university as a whole is in a healthy financial position, as noted in the Q4 financial statements. All faculties have made cutbacks over the past year, meaning the outlook is better than in 2024, when the 2025 budget was drawn up. This even applies to the Faculty of Humanities, which is going through a tough period, financially.

The question is what will happen to the 25 million euros left over from 2025. The rules stipulate that this amount should go into the reserves, but the Executive Board is asking the University Council, as it did last year, to allow the interest income (8.7 million euros this time) to be placed in the so-called interest reserve. This is a fund from which future interest can be paid if the UU needs to borrow money to finance renovations and new construction projects. The board also wishes to set aside a sum for Asturias (Solis ID required, Ed.), the new system for the university’s operational processes for human resources, finance and procurement.

No changes
According to a memo on the Intranet (Solis ID required, Ed.), the positive result for 2025 has no effect on this year’s budget. Austerity measures remain necessary, as costs are rising and student numbers are falling (government funding is tied to student numbers, Ed.). Significant funds are also required to renovate and maintain university buildings and finance new construction projects. Furthermore, Utrecht University wishes to continue investing in education and research.

The 2026 budget (Solis ID required) is expected to show a surplus of 11 million. This positive balance is said to be the proceeds from a property yet to be sold. According to the Executive Board, this is a one-off sum that cannot be used for structural investments.

The fact that there is a new government in The Hague that aims to reverse cuts to the higher education budget is no reason to adjust this year's forecasts, said University President Hans Brug in his latest meeting with the University Council. He said UU is waiting to see the government's exact plans.

Q4 will be discussed on Monday in the University Council’s Finance, Accommodation & ITS Committee with Vice-Chair Margot van der Starre.