All the UK unis that are resorting to scrapping courses and whole departments in 2025

Erm, so UK universities need to have an underconsumption era. The higher education sector is having lots of financial troubles – even at the fanciest Russell Group unis. Higher running costs and fewer international students means that lots of UK unis are taking drastic measures to stay afloat, including cutting courses. Here are all the UK unis that are culling key courses in 2025.

The University of Aberdeen might cut back more courses

Last year, Aberdeen announced they would stop offering single degrees in French, Gaelic, German or Spanish. The students who are already studying these subjects can finish off their degrees, but the uni won’t let more freshers onto the courses. In May, the university revealed it is looking at more courses to cut.

Aberdeen Uni’s statement said: “We are considering ways to more effectively shape and enhance our educational portfolio to create a more student demand-led, academically sustainable portfolio of degree programmes. As part of this a voluntary severance and enhanced retirement scheme will also be offered to academic staff in a sub-set of our disciplines.”

Basically, the uni might cut some of the less popular courses, and get rid of lecturers from these departments.

The University of Bournemouth won’t let freshers study two courses

English lit students will need a drink after this news

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In March, Bournemouth announced they would stop recruiting new students for the BA in politics and the BA in English. The uni is considering scrapping a huge amount of courses: Archaeology and anthropology, English, games programming and games software engineering, forensic biology, international hospitality management, international hospitalist and business management, international tourism and business management, nutrition, photography, and sociology and social anthropology.

Bournemouth also plans to cut foundation years in environmental sciences, geography, occupational therapy and operating department practice (ODP).

Cardiff is still getting rid of two departments

Cardiff was initially going to cut loads of subjects, including nursing, modern languages and music. After much backlash, the university has scaled back its plans. But the uni still plans to scrap the religious studies and theology department, and the ancient history courses. A petition to save the ancient history course has over 5,000 signatures.

The University of Kent has actually axed six courses

It’s not exactly the prettiest campus in the country
(Credit: Ash87it)

Last year, the uni announced plans to “phase out” anthropology, art history, health and social care, journalism, music and audio technology, and philosophy and religious studies. So, the students on these courses are allowed to finish their degrees. But the University of Kent won’t recruit any new freshers for these subjects.

Kingston University is scrapping lots of humanities subjects

Er, so this uni is spending lots of money on a new building at Middle Mill, but also plans to get rid of lots of humanities courses. University staff have estimated the new building will cost about £22 million, and staff cuts will save the uni approximately £20 million.

In February, Kingston announced it would stop recruiting new students for several subjects: Criminal justice, criminology, English, international relations, modern European philosophy, and philosophy and contemporary critical theory. Kingston University is also contemplating cutting the foundation course in humanities, and the Kingston Language Scheme.

The University of the West of England will stop taking drama freshers

So, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is a drama school that spawned celebs including Olivia Colman, Theo James and Patrick Stewart. The University of the West of England (UWE) accredits it. In January, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School announced it was closing the undergrad degree programmes. Hopeful applicants who had already auditioned got their fees back.

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Featured image of the University of Aberdeen by Bill Harrison.