Music and modern foreign languages degrees are among courses being suspended at the University of Nottingham, with the institution saying it “cannot rely on additional income” from the coming tuition fee rises.

Nottingham put part of the blame for the continued financial uncertainty on the proposed international student fee levy, pointing out that it will “wipe out any benefits” that will come from the Westminster government’s recent decision to link fees to inflation.

It said that it continued to be “seriously affected by a fall in revenues and rising costs” and was therefore considering proposals to “reshape” the university.

Ahead of these plans going to the university’s council later this month, Nottingham has decided to suspend enrolment to several courses for 2026-27 entry, with a view to closing these programmes, subject to approval.

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Nottingham’s University and College Union (UCU) branch has already announced that it will be undertaking a second wave of strike action this term. If the proposed strike goes ahead, union members will have taken over 40 days of industrial action this academic year alone, over plans to cut 200 jobs from the university.

Impacted courses include Nottingham’s undergraduate music degree as well as French, German, Russian, and Hispanic studies. 

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It is also looking to cut its undergraduate nursing courses in child health and mental health. Theology, education, microbiology and agriculture will be affected, alongside a master’s in social work.

Nottingham said it would no longer be recruiting students for the impacted courses and was notifying Ucas of its decision. The courses will be suspended from 10 November.

A spokesperson for the university said: “Over the past 18 months, we have been developing a clear set of proposals that will guide the size and shape of our organisation and ensure our university continues to be a global leader in education, innovation, student success and research.

“Ahead of these proposals being put forward to the university’s council later this month, we have taken the decision to suspend a small number of courses where demand is low or where they are not meeting the benchmark against a number of other criteria.”

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It said that the decision to suspend programmes had been made based on market share, projected current and future demand from students and employers and revenue made from the impacted courses.

Disciplines were also reviewed against research income and global excellence and benchmarked against competitors, it said, adding that it “considered the subjects being taught and student demand at other institutions, both locally and across the UK”.

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com