At the end of November the university’s Council approved a proposal to engage with students, staff, alumni and trade unions on plans to reshape the university, which includes proposals to close a small number of courses. Council is keen to stress that nothing has been decided yet – it is a starting point, and the university will work closely with the community to shape the final proposals.

You can read the Council's statement below. There is also a mechanism for alumni to respond directly as part of the engagement period.

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What is Future Nottingham?

The University of Nottingham is committed to delivering academic excellence and an outstanding student experience, ensuring that resources are directed to where they can deliver the greatest benefit for students and for society at large, in line with national priorities.

The university's aim over the course of the next year is to secure a sustainable future and deliver world-class research and teaching for generations to come. The objective is to co-create a flexible, inclusive and authentic offer that benefits all students and is financially sustainable.

Future Nottingham is the university's response, ensuring it can respond to students’ changing needs and course preferences as well as continuing to deliver research that benefits global society.

How will the university do this?

Proposals for phase two of Future Nottingham (FN2) include:

  • Focussing the course offer for future students.
  • Ensuring that the right teams are in place – across academic, technical and student support – to provide the best student experience possible.
  • Creating a research framework for the university that will ensure the University of Nottingham continues to be a world-leading institution.

In November, the university suspended recruitment to 42 courses (equivalent to 5% of the university's entire course provision) assessed against multiple criteria. These include market share, entry requirements, student and employer demand, and revenue. Disciplines were also reviewed against research income and benchmarked against competitors.  

Final decisions on the future of these courses will be made by the end of the 25/26 academic year.

Statement from Council following approval

"The Future Nottingham 2 ('FN2') programme builds on the foundations established in Phase One ('FN1') to secure long-term financial sustainability, academic excellence and institutional resilience in a rapidly evolving higher education sector.

"Council approval of this strategic case for change provides consent to continue engagement with our wider community on the proposals and how they apply in practice.

"This Strategic Case for Change outlines the proposed strategic direction for FN2. Development of detailed future structures and changes to roles are yet to be determined. Should the proposals require us to commence collective consultation, this is envisaged to be towards the end of quarter one 2026. The business case, when finalised, will be based on the core principles contained within the strategic case for change so that council can assess the impact of these principles, and review the outcomes of engagement prior to formal consultation.

"Council will receive regular updates on alternative proposals generated during engagement by relevant stakeholders (including staff and students) intended to fulfil the criteria for sustainable academic excellence. Final decisions on the FN phase 2 proposals, including course closures, will be made by the end of academic year 2025/2026."

Your opportunity to respond

Further opportunities to engage will be communicated in due course. You can also share your feedback with the programme team by email.