Strategic Review: outcomes and next steps

The Strategic Review was established to address significant financial challenges and secure the University's long-term sustainability. 

Following consultation and consideration of feedback, decisions have now been confirmed across a number of academic and Professional Services areas.

Confirmed outcomes

• Chemistry will be re-established within a new School of Chemical, Environmental and Earth Sciences, with no course closures.

• Geography, Geology and Environment will also be re-established within the new School of Chemical, Environmental and Earth Sciences. The BA Geography and Human Geography programmes will close to new students from September 2026, with teaching continuing for existing students.

• Film Studies will close to new students from September 2026, with teaching continuing for current students.

• Modern Languages will close to new students from September 2026, with teaching continuing for current students.

• Education will be reshaped, building on its strengths in PGCE delivery.

• History will move forward with a staffing model that reflects current student demand while continuing to deliver a strong curriculum and research excellence.

• College Operations will implement a new operating model across all four Colleges, creating a more consistent and resilient professional services structure.

• Technical and Research Infrastructure Services (TRIS) will become a new Directorate providing integrated support for teaching, research and enterprise across the University.

The new College Operations and TRIS structures will take effect from 1 August 2026.

Looking ahead

The Strategic Review remains on track to achieve the objectives set out at the start of the process. Throughout the process, the University has sought to engage with stakeholders and mitigate compulsory redundancies wherever possible.

We recognise that this has been a difficult period for many colleagues and would like to thank everyone who has contributed feedback and engaged with the process.

As we move into the next year, we remain focused on building a stronger, more sustainable University that is well positioned to deliver on its ambitions for students, research and external impact.