Cardiff University sets out plans to cut 400 jobs and close degrees
It comes as university leaders have warned of significant financial issues in recent years.
Cardiff University has set out proposals to cut 400 jobs and close a number of degree programmes, including nursing and music, because of a funding shortfall.
Professor Wendy Larner, vice-chancellor of the university, said it was “no longer an option” to continue as it was without taking difficult decisions.
The proposed changes include a reduction of 400 full-time academic staff – 7% of the total workforce.
Subjects and programmes in ancient history, modern languages and translation, music, nursing, and religion and theology could be closed.
The university said it would use compulsory redundancy only if absolutely necessary.
It comes as university leaders have warned of financial concerns as a result of a fall in the number of overseas students and increasing cost pressures.
Durham University has also set out plans to reduce staff costs by £10 million this year, which may equate to around 200 professional services staff posts.
On Tuesday, the university said it will open a voluntary severance scheme for staff, but it cannot rule out compulsory measures.
Cardiff University is currently reporting a £31.2 million operational deficit.
Prof Larner said: “We know here at Cardiff University that it is no longer an option for us to continue as we are.
“Our new strategy, co-created with our community, lays out an ambitious future for our university where it is collaborative, innovative, and delivering value for Cardiff, Wales and the wider world.
“Securing that future, in the context of tightening finances, means we need to take difficult decisions to realise our ambitions to enhance our education and research, and improve the staff and student experience.”
The proposals to save money include increasing student and staff ratios across the university as well as possible school mergers.
The Russell Group university is launching a formal consultation on the proposed changes, which will run for three months.
Final plans are expected to be considered by University Council in June.
Staff briefings were held on Tuesday and will continue throughout the week.
Prof Larner added: “I know that these proposals impact some staff more than others and they will cause a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety for those potentially impacted.
“We have done everything that we can to avoid reaching this position, but ultimately we know that annual rounds of cuts demoralise our staff, affect our students, and limit our ability to retain and grow new partnerships with our community here in the UK and elsewhere.
“We need to act now to ensure that we are able to deliver on the aspirations of our new strategy and have a viable university for the future.”
Gareth Lloyd, the University and College Union (UCU) Wales Official, said: “Whilst Cardiff’s senior management have questions to answer, these announcements cannot be removed from the wider context of a higher education funding crisis.
“Nowhere else in the Welsh public sector do we find a combination of job losses through voluntary severance, pay freezes and the very real risk of compulsory redundancy.
“In contrast to other bodies, universities are prevented from making a public case for more money on the basis that students will not apply to an institution if they think it is at risk.
“UCU members are neither able nor willing to carry the cost of inaction. If the Welsh Government wants to avoid a cycle of redundancies and damaging strikes, then it will need to use the 2025/26 budget to stabilise the sector.”
Commenting on the news announced by Durham and Cardiff universities, Unison head of education Mike Short said universities were “starved of cash” under the previous Conservative governments.
He said: “Persistent underfunding has left many institutions in financial crisis, but essential support staff shouldn’t be bearing the brunt of budget woes.
“This is already an anxious time for students. Announcing job cuts just as the applications process for 2025 closes is not a good look for universities.
“Cutting staff numbers is a false economy, harming the higher education experience for thousands of students who will lose their safety, security and support.
“The Government must provide long-term, sustainable funding in response to the crisis in higher education.”
Commenting, Helen Whyley, executive director of RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Wales, said: “I am very concerned about Cardiff University’s proposal to close its School of Nursing.
“This proposal comes at a time when Wales is facing a severe nursing shortage, with thousands of vacancies placing immense pressure on an already overstretched workforce.
“Although the University has assured me that it is committed to honour places (for) this year’s nursing programmes, the proposed closure of such a prestigious institution programme will have a significant impact on the future of nursing in Wales.
“This decision has the potential to threaten the pipeline of registered nurses into the largest health board in Wales and undermines efforts to address the critical staffing crisis in the NHS and social care.”
