University of York is shutting down its Centre for Lifelong Learning after over 40 years

The University of York has announced it will be closing its Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) on July 31st, blaming a “challenging financial climate” and sector wide pressures for the closure.

The closure marks the end of over four decades of evening and part time courses aimed at the local community, as well as long distance learning options offered by the CLL.

In a statement issued on June 25th, the university said the decision had been made with “profound sadness” after efforts to protects the Centre “for as long as we can.”

The statement read: “This decision has been an incredibly hard one, made in response to the challenging financial climate currently facing the higher education sector. We have tried to protect this provision for as long as we can, having seen many other institutions also having to face similar difficult decisions.

via Google Maps

“For more than 40 years, the Centre has been a place where individuals have pursued their passions, achieved accreditation or simply learned for pleasure. The legacy of our learners – with its vibrant community and spirited exchange of ideas – is something we will always cherish and we are truly sorry that we are no longer able to sustain this model of provision.

“We are sorry it has become unsustainable in its current form, and hope that our continued commitment to widening access and innovative learning will still allow us to support your educational journeys in new ways.”

Current students and tutors have now been informed, with the university offering guidance on “how best to take forward learning opportunities” after the closure. Teaching activity will continue until the end of the summer term, including planned Saturday Schools for local children.

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While the university stressed its “continued commitment” to public engagement and widening access through other projects like The Place and York Festival of Ideas, it admitted the CLL model had become “unsustainable in its current form.”

The announcement follows growing concern over the university’s financial health. Earlier this year, vice-chancellor Charlie Jeffery revealed the university needed to make £15 million in savings before the end of the financial year. In 2024, 270 jobs were cut through voluntary severance, saving £34 million.

In its farewell message to the CLL community, the university said: “The legacy of our learners – with its vibrant community and spirited exchange of ideas – is something we will always cherish. We are truly sorry that we are no longer able to sustain this model of provision.”

Featured image via Google Maps