The University of Wolverhampton has confirmed that it will not recruit any students for 138 of its undergraduate and postgraduate courses in September.
It cited a reduction in income and rising costs, alongside the pandemic, as reasons why the university is facing a very challenging financial landscape. A university spokesperson said that a ‘robust recovery action plan’ is now underway.
The School of Performing Arts has faced cuts as well as the School of Arts, which was established in 1851. Science and Engineering, Biology, and Medicine are also facing suspended recruitment. In total, 56 courses across the sciences will pause recruitment including 2 in Pharmacology, Engineering, Computing, Maths, and Architecture.
In the humanities, courses impacted include BA Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, MA Sikh Studies, MA in Language and Information Processing and MA Research in Humanities. Education, and the School of Psychology also face pauses in recruitment whilst the School of Society and Community will see some of their courses rolled up into one.
Support needed
Wolverhampton UCU tweeted out asking for support. They said: ‘Opportunities for local students to launch successful careers in these subject areas will be impacted with the loss of foundation level entry, flexible study, and sandwich options on many courses.’
The branch asked people to write to their MPs to challenge the idea that students’ salaries are an indicator of the value of the courses.
A spokesperson from the university said: ‘The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly increased costs to the university while at the same time, like many similar universities, our enrolments have been falling with associated loss of income. This has been compounded by difficulties around overseas travel impacting international students during the pandemic.’
‘Brutal cuts’
Chester UCU has weighed in, offering their solidarity to staff and students at Wolverhampton affected by the ‘brutal cuts’ which ‘attack arts and humanities provision.’
People have taken to Twitter to share their frustration over this news. Someone wrote: ‘Horrific news coming from the University of Wolverhampton, an institution which serves such a vital role in the West Midlands education landscape.’
Another said: ‘So, so sad to hear about the closure of creative courses at University of Wolverhampton – will definitely have an impact on local opportunities and talent drain to other regions!’
