Sunderland University Abandons Glass-Making Degrees, Crushing Local Creativity

In a move that has left the local community in despair, Sunderland University has announced that it will be closing the National Glass Centre and discontinuing its glass-making degree programs. The decision, which is set to take effect in 2026, has been described as "absolutely devastating" by recent graduate Helen Gordon.

Gordon, who completed her part-time studies in just over six years, says the closure will have a devastating impact on the region's creativity and artistic talent. "If they don't have the degree programme then they're not going to have new artists - it's absolutely devastating, it will kill glass-making," she laments. Gordon had planned to pursue a master's degree in the field, but now that option has been scuppered.

The university's decision comes after an external review found that continuing the glass-making programs would cost around £9.4 million, which the university's governors deemed financially unviable given the low student numbers. However, mature student Penny Riley-Smith says the move shows the university does not value its glass-making students and faculty, who are experienced and talented.

The loss of the university's specialized equipment and facilities will also be a blow to students and local artists who have relied on them. As the city's cutting-edge creativity in glass-making faces an uncertain future, the community is left to grapple with the devastating consequences of Sunderland University's decision.