Cardiff University has confirmed plans to cut around 400 jobs along with the closure of several degree programs amid increasing financial pressures. The decision, affecting approximately 7% of the institution’s workforce, follows warnings from university leaders about the urgent need to adapt due to mounting operational deficits.
Proposed program cuts include nursing, music, ancient history, modern languages, and translation. Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner stated, "It is no longer an option for us to continue as we are," emphasizing the institution's precarious financial position. The funding crisis stems from declining international student applications and rising operational costs, leading to a projected £31 million deficit.
Professor Larner addressed staff concerns, acknowledging the significant anxiety these proposals would create. She noted, "I know these proposals impact some staff more than others, and they will cause uncertainty and anxiety for those potentially impacted." The university is launching a formal consultation process for 90 days to discuss the proposed changes, with final plans expected to be considered by the University Council in June 2025.
The cuts have been met with backlash from the University and College Union (UCU), which labeled the measures as "brutal and unnecessary." UCU representative Andy Williams described the atmosphere among staff as one of shock and distress, stating, "Everyone is shell-shocked at the scale of these cuts. These cuts will damage the university, the city, and Wales as well as our members." Union officials have indicated they plan to ballot members for potential strike action to oppose compulsory redundancies.
Political reactions have also surfaced, with Plaid Cymru education spokesperson Cefin Campbell expressing deep concern about the potential impact on Wales' reputation as a leading educational hub. "400 jobs lost at Wales’ biggest university will have devastating effects here and more widely, damaging Wales’ reputation as a nation of learning," noted Campbell. He called for immediate clarity from Cardiff University and the Welsh Government on the future of these positions and programs.
Helen Whyley, Executive Director of the Royal College of Nursing Wales, echoed these sentiments, stating her worries about the proposed closure of the School of Nursing, particularly at a time when Wales is grappling with nursing shortages. "I am very concerned about Cardiff University’s proposal to close its School of Nursing," she remarked. The potential reduction of nursing training, amid indications of thousands of vacancies, raises the alarm for future healthcare provisions within the region.
The university has reassured current students enrolled in affected programs, emphasizing it will honor their places for the current academic year, yet there remains uncertainty about the long-term consequences of these cuts for students and the continuity of their education.
Consultations will undergo discussions concerning proposed merges of university departments, which include the creation of new schools by consolidations of existing programs. Union representatives have questioned how these changes could disrupt students who are already midway through their degrees.
Reflecting on the role of universities within the Welsh economy, various parties underscored the necessity for the sector to sustain its viability. Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West, urged attention to this crisis, stating, "For Wales to thrive, its universities need to survive and every job cut impedes this mission." Political leaders across the spectrum are emphasizing the interconnectedness of educational institutions and community wellbeing, urging for governance collaboration to collectively manage these financial hardships across Welsh universities.
Cardiff University’s situation mirrors challenges faced by peers nationwide, as many institutions grapple with similar budget constraints due to static state funding and high inflation. The impact of these measures poses serious questions about university funding models and the future of higher education sustainability across the UK.
Finally, as Cardiff University embarks on this comprehensive consultation process, it remains to be seen how these proposed cuts will shape the academic and social fabric of the institution and what lasting effects these decisions will inflict on its staff, students, and the broader community.