‘We have done everything that we can to avoid reaching this position, but ultimately we know that annual rounds of cuts demoralise our staff, affect our students, and limit our ability to retain and grow new partnerships’
Cardiff University has unveiled plans to cut 400 jobs and discontinue several degree programmes, including nursing and music, in response to a significant funding shortfall.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner justified the drastic measures, stating that it was “no longer an option” to maintain the status quo without making tough decisions. The proposed restructuring involves reducing the university’s full-time academic staff by 400 positions, equivalent to 7% of the total workforce.
This could potentially lead to the closure of departments and programmes in subjects such as ancient history, modern languages and translation, music, nursing, and religion and theology.
While the university aims to avoid compulsory redundancies whenever possible, it has not ruled out this option entirely. The move comes as university leaders across the UK grapple with financial challenges triggered by declining international student numbers and escalating cost pressures.
In a separate development, Durham University has announced plans to cut staff costs by £10m this year, potentially affecting around 200 professional services staff posts. A voluntary severance scheme will be introduced, although compulsory measures cannot be entirely ruled out.
Cardiff University is currently grappling with a £31.2m operational deficit, prompting Professor Larner to stress the need for bold action: “We know here at Cardiff University that it is no longer an option for us to continue as we are.
“Our new strategy, co-created with our community, lays out an ambitious future for our university where it is collaborative, innovative, and delivering value for Cardiff, Wales and the wider world.”
Prof Larner explained that securing the university’s future amid financial constraints requires making tough decisions to achieve their goals of enhancing education, research, and the overall staff and student experience. As part of their cost-cutting measures, the university is considering increasing student-to-staff ratios and potential school mergers.
A formal three-month consultation on the proposed changes has been launched, with final plans expected to be reviewed by the University Council in June. In staff briefings held on Tuesday and continuing throughout the week, Prof Larner acknowledged the uncertainty and anxiety the proposals may cause for some staff, stating: “I know that these proposals impact some staff more than others and they will cause a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety for those potentially impacted.
“We have done everything that we can to avoid reaching this position, but ultimately we know that annual rounds of cuts demoralise our staff, affect our students, and limit our ability to retain and grow new partnerships with our community here in the UK and elsewhere.”
Gareth Lloyd, the University and College Union (UCU) Wales Official, commented: “Whilst Cardiff’s senior management have questions to answer, these announcements cannot be removed from the wider context of a higher education funding crisis.
“Nowhere else in the Welsh public sector do we find a combination of job losses through voluntary severance, pay freezes and the very real risk of compulsory redundancy.
“In contrast to other bodies, universities are prevented from making a public case for more money on the basis that students will not apply to an institution if they think it is at risk. UCU members are neither able nor willing to carry the cost of inaction. If the Welsh Government wants to avoid a cycle of redundancies and damaging strikes, then it will need to use the 2025/26 budget to stabilise the sector.”
Unison head of education, Mike Short, said: “Persistent underfunding has left many institutions in financial crisis, but essential support staff shouldn’t be bearing the brunt of budget woes. This is already an anxious time for students. Announcing job cuts just as the applications process for 2025 closes is not a good look for universities.
“Cutting staff numbers is a false economy, harming the higher education experience for thousands of students who will lose their safety, security and support. The Government must provide long-term, sustainable funding in response to the crisis in higher education.”
Helen Whyley, executive director of RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Wales, said: “I am very concerned about Cardiff University’s proposal to close its School of Nursing. This proposal comes at a time when Wales is facing a severe nursing shortage, with thousands of vacancies placing immense pressure on an already overstretched workforce.
“Although the University has assured me that it is committed to honour places (for) this year’s nursing programmes, the proposed closure of such a prestigious institution programme will have a significant impact on the future of nursing in Wales.
“This decision has the potential to threaten the pipeline of registered nurses into the largest health board in Wales and undermines efforts to address the critical staffing crisis in the NHS and social care.”
