A report published this month by the Higher Education Commission was co-chaired by Dr Ruth Thompson (1971, History).

Too Good To Fail, published by the Higher Education Commission earlier this month, examines the current higher education funding model, focusing on a range of issues, from government return on investment, to the rise in student debt, to changing levels of university income.

The report was co-chaired by Dr Ruth Thompson and Lord Norton of Louth. Somerville students formed one of its three focus groups and Dr Steve Rayner, Senior Tutor, was thanked in the report’s Acknowledgments.

The report concludes that “the current system is not sustainable” and recommends a thorough review of current funding arrangements.

The report can be accessed on the Higher Education Commission website.

Further reading?

Somerville JRF Sheds Light on the Cellular Origins of Sleep

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Somerville JRF Sheds Light on the Cellular Origins of Sleep

Marking 100 years since the birth of Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013)

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13 October 2025
Marking 100 years since the birth of Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013)

Meet Francesca Arduini, Somerville’s New Tutorial Fellow in Economics

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10 October 2025
Meet Francesca Arduini, Somerville’s New Tutorial Fellow in Economics