The University of Seville has closed the 2025 financial year with a deficit of €14.8 million, according to the latest audit. Salary increases and the cost of infrastructure are weighing down the accounts of the Hispalense.
The University of Seville (US) has received a cold shower with the auditor's report corresponding to the close of 2025. The academic institution has ended the year with a deficit of €14.8 million, a figure that, according to academic sources, does not respond to a specific problem but to a structural imbalance affecting ordinary operations.
The initial budget for 2025 amounted to €634.4 million, but the year has closed with an "adjusted budget deficit" of nearly €15 million. The situation is aggravated because the US does not have freely disposable treasury reserves to offset this imbalance, which forces urgent measures to be taken.
The causes of the deficit: salary increases and infrastructure
The audit points to three main factors that have triggered the deficit. Firstly, the salary increases in the public sector approved by the central government, which the University is obliged to implement without receiving full compensation. Secondly, the rising costs of supplies, which have driven up operational costs. And thirdly, the infrastructure projects being undertaken by the US, which require million-euro investments.
Sources from the University explain that "the increase in the personnel chapter responds to issues that the University must implement", so the deficit is not exclusive to the Hispalense, but "is part of a structural problem that is exacerbated in the case of the US due to its size, its staff, and its patrimonial obligations."
"It is not a specific problem, but an imbalance that affects ordinary operations," academic sources point out.
€16 million adjustment plan to regain balance
In light of this situation, the University of Seville has already launched a Plan for Organisational Efficiency for Budgetary Sustainability, amounting to €16 million. The objective is to "gradually regain economic balance" without deteriorating teaching, research, transfer, student services, or the working conditions of the university community.
The plan includes measures for "containment, rationalisation, and prioritisation" of spending, although the US has not yet detailed the specific cuts. What is clear is that the priority is to protect academic activity and prevent the deficit from affecting educational quality.
For US students, the news generates uncertainty, although the rectoral team insists that no cuts in scholarships or basic services are anticipated. However, the freezing of new hires and the review of unnecessary expenses could be some of the first measures.
The Andalusian funding model in limbo
The US deficit comes at a crucial moment for the Andalusian university system. The Junta de Andalucía and the universities agreed to conduct a detailed study on personnel expenses to adjust the funding model, which was approved unanimously. However, the change in government has left this measure in limbo.
It will be the new councillor for Universities, Industry, Energy and Innovation, Jorge Paradela, who will have to address this issue. Andalusian universities hope that the study will allow for an update of the funding model and meet the real personnel needs, something that the US considers "urgent" to prevent the deficit from becoming chronic.
In the meantime, the University of Seville will have to tighten its belt. The efficiency plan is already underway, and the coming months will be crucial to see if the measures can straighten out the accounts without the university community feeling the pinch. For now, the rectorate is confident that negotiation with the Junta will help alleviate financial pressure in the medium term.
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