This included proposals to close a small number of courses. Nothing has been decided yet. This is a starting point, and we now need to work with our community to shape the final proposals.

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.

What is Future Nottingham?

Over the last 100 years, The University of Nottingham has built a global reputation as a world-leading research-intensive institution, delivering an excellent teaching and learning experience for its students and making a positive impact on society.

We have a duty to ensure it continues to do this in the future.

This means being able to respond robustly to the financial challenges facing the UK higher education sector to safeguard our future.

Future Nottingham is our response to this. Ensuring we can respond to our students’ changing needs and course preferences as well as continuing to deliver research that benefits global society.

Whichever subject you study at UoN, your teaching, facilities and support services will be even more effective as a result of the changes we are making.

How will the university do this?

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

• focussing our 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.

Earlier this month we suspended recruitment to 42 courses where student demand is low, where entry requirements are low and/or where we are not strong in research.

Yesterday, Council approved to open engagement on the proposed closure of these courses from the 2026/27 academic year.​ This starts a period of engagement where we will work with students, staff, trade unions, and other stakeholders to explore the impact of the proposed course closures.

We took the decision to suspend these courses ahead of Council because it wasn’t fair to continue to recruit students to courses which may not run next year. Final decisions on the future of these courses will be made by the end of the 25/26 academic year.

How does this affect me?

Current students are not directly affected by the proposals. All those presently studying on courses that have been suspended will be supported to complete their current studies.

The suspensions are in place for prospective students, as these courses will not be available to apply to for the 2026/27 academic year.

What happens next?

The FN2 programme will now engage with students, staff, trade unions, and stakeholders to further develop the proposals. This engagement will inform the development of the FN2 Draft Business Case, which will go to Council for approval in February/March 2026.

The latest FN2 student engagement session took place on Monday 24 November with our Vice-Chancellor – Professor Jane Norman – and members of her senior leadership team answering questions posed to them by you. She will share her thoughts on the session later this week.

More opportunities to engage will be communicated in due course on these news pages and in your student newsletter. You can also share your feedback with your Students’ Union officers, and with the programme team at BR-FN-feedback@nottingham.ac.uk.

Please remember that your Wellbeing Team are here to support you should you have any concerns. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them.