Exeter University Axes 130 Jobs, Shuts 9 Departments

Exeter University is set to eliminate 130 jobs as part of a significant restructuring that will see nine subject areas, including chemistry, modern languages, and music, cease operations. Vice-Chancellor Steve Smith announced today that the university must end its policy of "cross-subsidising" less profitable courses with funds from more successful departments.

Chemistry, Italian, and music programs will be discontinued next year. Further overhauls are planned for lifelong learning, engineering, computer science, pure mathematics, statistics, and operational research. This decision follows similar closures at other UK universities and has drawn criticism from bodies like the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Professor Smith stated the changes are a response to market pressures, including top-up fees and the Research Assessment Exercise, aiming to enhance the university's market position. He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, emphasizing it prevents the continued strain on financially robust departments.

The university plans to reinvest savings into thriving areas such as English, history, law, psychology, and physics, alongside developing new business facilities. Student representatives have expressed concern for current students impacted by the closures but acknowledged the financial realities universities face.