of work undertaken on research grants, as income is recognised in the financial statements over a period typically averaging three years. Other income reduced by £6.0 million, or 12.4%. This consists of student residences income, conference, hotel, retail and also income from summer school activity for foreign language students on the campus. All categories were significantly impacted by the pandemic, including the decision by the university not to charge rent for accommodation for the final term.
Excluding the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension revaluation, expenditure was £9.8 million (4.3%) higher than in 2018–19. Excluding pension adjustments, staff costs of £135.0 million were £15.5 million (13.0%) higher than in 2018–19. The university invested resources in its academic provision as its tuition fee income and student numbers have increased and has also targeted staff cost investment in its information technology provision and other support services. Other operating expenses of £76.9 million were £5.6 million lower than in 2018–19.
=== Coat of arms ===
The Brunel coat of arms was granted to the university on 12 June 1970, and incorporates various images representative of the university's heritage and principles.
The masonry arch symbolises Isambard Kingdom Brunel, after whom the university is named; the compass and cogwheel symbolise technology, on which the university initially focused, and the institution's former status as a College of Advanced Technology; the ermine lozenge is an allusion to the arms of Lord Halsbury, the first Chancellor of the university. The full coat of arms has a swan as the crest, which symbolises Uxbridge, where the main campus is located.
The heraldic description is given as ‘Azure a Pair of Dividers chevronwise proper in base on a Pile reversed Or a Lozenge Ermine a Chief enarched in the form of a bridge of masonry proper AND for the Crest On a Wreath of the Colours A swan wings addorsed proper about the neck a Mural Crown Or resting the dexter foot on a Cogwheel …
