University of Edinburgh to cut 90 degree programmes, staff respond with strike action
The University of Edinburgh announced it will axe ninety degree programmes from Autumn 2027 to be “aligned with student demand”. This comes after management revealed controversial annual cut goals of […]
The University of Edinburgh announced it will axe ninety degree programmes from Autumn 2027 to be “aligned with student demand”.
This comes after management revealed controversial annual cut goals of £140 million in 2025, resulting in at least 950 members of staff made redundant so far.
Some schools affected include Divinity, Education and Sport, Business, and the Edinburgh College of Art.
The School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures is the worst hit with a loss of 48 degree programmes.
A university spokesperson said: “Like other institutions, Edinburgh undertakes regular evidence-based reviews of its academic portfolio to make sure it is aligned with student demand, a constantly evolving job market and other external needs.”
They said “conscious and sometimes difficult choices” are required to maintain “world-leading reputation as a powerhouse of the arts, humanities and social sciences”.
Sources from the University and College Union (UCU) told The Student they believe this can result in forced redundancies.
The UCU has since announced five weeks of strike action.
Lena Wånggren, UCU Edinburgh branch co-president, said: “Our members have been clear that compulsory redundancies must not be the university’s answer to its financial challenges.
“Five weeks of strike action is not what anyone wants, but members are prepared to take action to protect jobs.”
A Performance Costume student told the Tab: “The university is very clearly scrapping courses that they don’t think make them enough money. Not the ones that have less students”.
“Closing costume in Edinburgh uni also only leaves two unis in the whole of Scotland to study costume.
“Textiles and jewellery are also so fundamental to the university”.
Latest
Oasis is returning to Manchester: here’s everything you need to know
Get your bucket hats at the ready for another Ticketmaster war
The Lost Paintings: A Prelude to Return at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
19 June – 27 September 2026
The Lost Paintings: A Prelude to Return, running until 27 September, brings together 53 Palestinian artists from Palestine and the diaspora. Each artist was invited to respond to one of Tomb’s lost painting titles.
The mother of missing Jack O’Sullivan blames police for ‘total failure’ to find him
The most recent update in the Jack O’Sullivan case
New Sloane Robinson Building opens: Temple Quarter
First step towards the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus
Missing 13-year-old found in Manchester city centre after eight day search
Police have confirmed the teenager is safe and well
Who Lizzie Borden’s sister Emma was and if they were close, because Monster gets it all wrong
She never got married for a start
The real life Lizzie Borden house is still standing today, so here’s what it’s used for
It’s one of the most visited true crime landmarks
What Lizzie Borden was actually like in real life, according to the people who knew her
Monster keeps describing her as ‘plain’
Was Lizzie Borden in love with her maid Bridget? The real life theory around her sexuality
People dug up notes and have tried to prove the theory for decades
Calling all aspiring journalists! How to join The Bristol Tab
Come to our open meeting on the 28th of September at 8pm at The Beckford (In Senate House)
Stop what you’re doing: The King’s Tab is looking for new writers AND content creators
Come to our open meeting on Thursday 1st October, 5pm at The Vault!
Channelling your broke uni student lifestyle
Not everything needs to be accompanied by a £5 iced latte, here’s how to be more mindful
The York Tab is recruiting new writers and we want YOU!
Open meeting Monday 28th September, 6pm in SLB/004!
Here’s who the uncle in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story was, and what Netflix makes up
John Morse really did stay in the Bordens’ house
Er, Lizzie Borden’s meeting with the actor Nance O’Neil was nothing like Netflix’s Monster
Their paths didn’t actually cross for another 14 years
With 600 alleged killings, this minor character in Lizzie Borden should have been the Monster
HUGE missed opportunity
Did Andrew Borden have a stutter? Charlie Hunnam breaks down accent and voice in Netflix show
The actor has fully explained it
Elektrik Warehouse responds to alleged ‘crowd crush’ concerns at Shoshi event
‘It was just lucky nothing insanely bad happened’
Uni of Edinburgh confirms 25 days of strike action over five weeks, affecting Welcome Week
Am email sent to Edinburgh University students read ‘staff are not obliged to tell us if they plan to take part, which means we cannot tell you who is or is not’