For a long time last year, it seemed that the UT would once again dive quite deep into the red figures. Incidental financial windfalls disguised these figures as the year progressed. According to the latest management report – with figures up to and including December – the UT's final deficit would be 7.8 million euros; a minimal difference from the deficit of 7.5 million euros that was budgeted. This was partly due to the financial measures taken in the summer.
The figures in the annual report published last week are even more positive for the university. At the bottom line, the UT recorded a deficit of 3.8 million euros last year.
Less income, more personnel costs
Although the UT was able to colour reasonably well within the lines financially, most of the income was less high than expected, while personnel costs were higher than budgeted. For example, the UT received slightly less money from the ministry and from tuition fees. Income from second and third money flows was also lower than budgeted: where 133 million euros in income was expected, the counter stopped at 119.6 million euros.
The UT also spent almost 12 million euros more on personnel costs than budgeted. On the other hand, the 'other expenses' were much lower. The UT budgeted 100 million euros for those other expenses, but spent 'only' 76.4 million euros. These other costs are, for example, in outsourced work, business trips and meeting lunches. And it is precisely in these kinds of costs that the UT pulled the handbrake last year.
Add the incidental results, such as higher interest income and a provision for the S&T faculty reorganisation, to the equation and you end up with a total result of minus 3.8 million euros.
Deficit of 3 million budgeted
For 2025, the UT has budgeted a deficit of 3 million euros. For the time being, the financial picture looks a lot brighter; the latest management report showed that the UT is heading for a plus of 6.4 million euros. For the time being, the university is sticking to its acute measures, such as the vacancy freeze and the reduced use of student assistants.
