Exeter closes Geography courses in Cornwall on A-level results day

Geography courses at Exeter’s Cornwall campus have been shuttered, with staff and students only learning of the decision on A-Level results day.

Staff at the Russell Group institution’s Penryn campus were emailed at 8am – the same time that clearing opened – to be told geography courses are being withdrawn, despite students having been able to apply to these during the admissions window.

The cuts come as part of a widespread restructuring programme at Exeter, which has fallen disproportionately on the humanities and social sciences, with around one-third of Penryn’s geography department at risk of redundancy. 

The announcement has raised concerns over job cuts, with fears that the news makes compulsory redundancies in the department more likely. 

It also means that an academic “cold spot” will emerge in Cornwall, with the University of Exeter being the only institution to provide geography courses in the region.

Joe Smith, the Royal Geographical Society's director, said the decision will “leave a hole in the fabric of geographical learning and research”, adding that, while it acknowledged financial pressures, there has been “strong and sustained student interest in geography at GCSE and A Level and in applications to university courses nationwide”.

“Moreover, as the economy undergoes a green and digital transition, public and private employers have called for more graduates equipped with the kinds of skills that a geography degree delivers.”

Staff were informed of the decision at the same time as prospective students, with current students receiving the news later in the morning. 

Times Higher Education understands that students who had accepted offers onto these courses have been told that they can take up places on related courses at the Penryn campus, or study geography at the Exeter campus – more than 80 miles away.

Current students have been told that they will be able to transfer onto an environmental science course, while final year students have been told that their course will be taught out.

One staff member, who wished to remain anonymous due to fear of retribution, said that the handling of these course closures has been “particularly callous”, noting that staff are “angry” and been made to feel even more “stressed”.

“I’ve never seen such a poorly executed series of consultations. It’s supposed to be a consultation, but it hasn’t. There’s been a 45-day consultation period, which is supposed to be a time for meaningful consultation, but the university hasn’t provided the people at risk or anybody with the key financial data that’s needed in order for us to make counter proposals.”

Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union said it “beggars belief” that Exeter has announced that the courses will be closing while running a consultation on the proposed cuts.

“If that wasn’t bad enough, it has chosen to do so as students are receiving their A-levels with many using clearing to choose where to study. The announcement seems specifically designed to hurt recruitment and hurt the university’s finances.

“Our members are balloting to stop management from being able to make these reckless decisions and they will be voting yes to strike action to protect student provision.”

A spokesperson for the University of Exeter confirmed it had taken the “difficult decision” to not admit new students onto the courses. 

“We recognise that this is disappointing for affected applicants and difficult for colleagues associated with these programmes. We have sought to give applicants as much notice and support as possible. Affected offer holders were contacted directly several weeks ago to make them aware that the programmes were under review and to discuss the options available to them, including programmes in Penryn and Streatham.

“The decision has been taken at this point so that applicants have clarity and can make informed decisions about their university choices. Current students on the affected programmes will continue to be supported to complete their studies, and we remain committed to our Penryn campus.”

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com