Earlier this year we wrote to you outlining plans to reshape the university to focus on areas of excellence and to safeguard the future of the institution. We want to share with you an update on those plans. 

The plans are part of a broad programme of transformation called Future Nottingham, which you may have heard of. It aims to help us maintain our status as a global leader in education and student success, and to build resilience against the financial pressures that institutions across the country are facing. As part of the latest phase of Future Nottingham, there are two elements to these proposals that you need to be aware of:

1. Suspension of a small number of academic courses
2. Faculty restructure

1. Academic course suspensions

On 10 November 2025, a small number of courses will be suspended for 2026/27 entry while a proposal to close them permanently is considered. This is not unusual; we constantly review the courses and modules we offer in light of student demand and other factors.

Undergraduate and postgraduate-taught students already studying on these courses will be able to continue with their studies and will be supported in completing their course, but we will not recruit a new intake of students onto these courses in the next academic year. This means that foundation students will unfortunately not be able to progress onto an undergraduate course that is paused for the 2026/27 academic year. Students in this scenario will be offered suitable alternative courses to progress onto instead.

The courses have been selected for suspension for a number of reasons, including low demand from prospective students, declining populations on the courses and low research income – meaning that they are less financially viable for us to maintain.

If you are on a course that is being suspended for the 2026/27 intake, your faculty will have informed you via your university email address.

Over the last five years our staff numbers have risen while student numbers have fallen. In addition, we’re aware that the complexity of our academic offering means that some teaching sessions take place outside of standard hours, which is not conducive to a positive student experience. These are just a few factors that have led to the decision to suspend courses that are seeing declining demand from prospective students.

We recognise that these plans may prompt concern for many of you, but we want to reassure you that the student experience remains at the heart of everything we’re doing. You will continue to be supported in completing your studies.

It’s important to understand that the proposal to close the suspended courses permanently is just that: a proposal. On Tuesday 25 November 2025, the University’s Council – its board of trustees – will decide whether to commence conversations with staff and trade unions on the proposed permanent closure of courses.

View the full list of suspended courses

If you’re on one of the courses of study listed above, you will be emailed more information directly by a member of staff from your faculty.

2. Faculty restructure

There is also a proposal to restructure the university’s schools and departments, moving from five faculties comprising 26 schools and departments to three colleges of 10 schools. It is proposed that this new structure will be in place from September 2026.

This is about introducing efficiencies into the way we work together, sharing resources, and encouraging cross-discipline collaboration.

Under this proposal, what may have previously been two or three schools might in the future be one combined school.

Again, the proposal is due to go to Council on Tuesday 25 November 2025. The proposed new structure is as follows:

• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • School of Business
  • School of Social Sciences
  • School of Arts
• College of Health
  • School of Health, Life and Psychological Sciences
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Pharmacy
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science
• College of Science and Engineering
  • School of Engineering, Applied Sciences and Innovation
  • School of Physical Sciences and Informatics
  • School of the Earth and Environment

Although the names of the schools above may not necessarily reflect every academic discipline, they will all be mapped to these new schools.

There will be plenty of opportunities for you to contribute to the vision for a future University of Nottingham.

If you have any questions or concerns about the proposals or suspensions, please speak to a member of staff in your school or department in the first instance. If they’re not able to answer your questions, they will be able to signpost you to a member of staff who can.

We want to reassure you that you will be fully supported through any changes that take place over the next few years. Our priority remains in delivering an excellent student experience, ensuring your wellbeing, and supporting you in completing your studies.