The University of Cardiff has announced a U-turn in its plans to cut its music department.
On 28 January, the university announced plans to cut 400 full-time jobs amid a funding shortfall. Music was one of the subjects under threat, along with modern languages, nursing, ancient history, and religion and theology.
The threat to the Music department was greeted by public protests, with high-profile artists including Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Sir Elton John supporting a campaign to save the department. In addition, a petition was signed by more than 25,000 people, a public demonstration was held on 22 February, and members of the University and College Union (UCU) planned strike action.
On 27 May, University vice-chancellor Professor Wendy Larner sent an update to staff saying that new proposals would retain both music and modern languages within the new School of Global Humanities, although there would be some restructuring and a reduced intake of students as well as a ‘smaller staff base’. A decision to retain nursing had been made earlier; meanwhile, the decision to axe ancient history, and religion and theology remained unchanged at this point.
The originally proposed 400 job losses has been revised to 138 to date, and the university has agreed not to enforce any compulsory redundancies during 2025.
These latest proposals, which have been approved by the University Executive Board, will now be considered for approval by the University Council on 17 June before final confirmation can be made.
