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Course closures campaign pack
Welcome to NUS’ course closures campaign pack. As a part of this year’s education priority campaign, NUS is committed to supporting you to fight course closures. We think that the increasing number of courses facing the axe across the UK is of grave concern – it not only means that choice for prospective students is being reduced but also that knowledge and talent within our education system is being lost. This comes at a time when participation in education is already being restricted by the introduction of a variable tuition fee, forcing thousands of students to question whether or not they can afford to go to university.
Courses are often closed simply for financial reasons. UK courses are largely funded by a research funding policy that rewards those at the top of the field at the expense of those lower down. For example, in 2005 we saw a chemistry department being shut after seeing its research capabilities being rated at 4, below the top 5 and 5* ratings.
Closures may threaten regional economies and could lead to ‘subject deserts’ meaning students have to travel further to study their preferred subject. Students who are only able to study from home may therefore become increasingly excluded and unable to freely choose where they wish to study.
And it’s not only a problem in higher education. The FE sector is also experiencing an assault on its courses, including many in adult education in a move that directly contradicts the government’s own lifelong learning agenda.
Please click here for an introduction to the campaign and an illustrated action plan. This will give you an overview of the issue and steps for you to take when faced with a closure. The online briefings below will provide you with further information and support. By thinking through the issues now, you’ll be better prepared for dealing with a closure should that situation arise.
Briefing three: deciding on the campaign
Briefing four: creating the campaign
FURTHER READING
Course representative structures: Please click here
The Research Assessment Exercise: Please click here
Strategically important and vulnerable subjects: final report of the advisory group (HEFCE, 2005) Please click here
Return to this campaign's homepage or view all articles in this campaign.