The University of Exeter has announced a major overhaul of its academic offerings, set to leave 130 jobs redundant and nine subject areas without a future. In a bold move aimed at addressing financial pressures, Vice-Chancellor Steve Smith confirmed that departments including chemistry, Italian, and music will no longer be available from next year.
Professor Smith has cited the need for Exeter to adapt to market forces influenced by top-up fees and the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), which allocates research funding to university departments. As a result of RAE reforms last year, universities across the UK are facing funding cuts, prompting closures in various areas, including chemistry – with institutions such as King's College London, Queen Mary, University of London, and Swansea University having made similar cuts.
The decision to axe the chemistry department has sparked an outcry from the Royal Society of Chemistry, whose chief executive David Giachardi described the move as a 'wasteland' for chemists in the west country. He confirmed that the society will take its concerns directly to Downing Street and government ministers, raising fears about the supply of skilled chemists nationwide.
Professor Smith justified Exeter's strategy by pointing out income per staff member is significantly lower in chemistry and biology departments (£20,900 annually) compared to top-performing subjects such as physics (£46,200). The closure of modern languages is also attributed to a decline in student uptake following the government's decision to drop compulsory language education for pupils aged 14 and over.
As part of its restructuring plan, Exeter aims to redirect savings into thriving subject areas like English, history, drama, law, and various sciences. The university will also invest in new business facilities – a move welcomed by student leaders, but with concerns still being raised about the impact on existing courses within affected departments.