Nottingham University

[Ineedcoffeenow]

My thoughts are with those affected by Nottingham University’s decision to suspend a load of programmes. Link here . I know people in American Studies. I can only assume that they will be closed permanently in the near future—or is that too pessimistic?

Dd applying for start next year, her Modern Languages course has been suspended, not sure what to do next, though Nottingham not her top choice. I really feel for all the staff affected.

So sorry to hear this. Languages especially are really up against it.

I know all humanities are under threat, but the MFL situation was set on course when the Government decided in all their wisdom to make languages optional at GCSE in 2004. As a former student of History and German, I learnt SO MUCH studying at a German university during my year abroad, went on to do a PhD in German History, and feel so sorry for all the young people that won’t get that sort of opportunity in the future. And the year abroad itself has got really complicated since we exited Europe I think. I’m not sure the Turing Scheme is really a like for like alternative….it’s just all so tragic. I never managed to get into academia after my PhD, ended up doing social research in the Civil Service instead, but as time has gone on I’ve increasingly felt that I’ve dodged a bullet, as I have much more security and things in HE have sounded so toxic in recent years.