The crisis in UK higher education, particularly within the humanities, has exacerbatingly become evident over the past years. A large number of universities are under ongoing austerity measures. Various factors impact institutions and students, with funding being a significant concern. The humanities departments often face budget cuts and pressure to prove their value, leading to a preference for business and STEM programmes.
While practical learning applications are essential, the intrinsic value of the humanities—promoting critical thinking, creativity and integrity—is often overlooked. These skills are necessary for advancing global citizenship and understanding society’s complexities.
Limited financial support restricts research opportunities and career progression, straining resources and diminishing academic diversity. Moreover, management team and policymakers are convinced that the humanities do not offer “employable” skills.
I am concerned about the future of education, as it affects us all. This issue deserves our attention, especially for the benefit of our communities and future generations.
The persistent cuts, particularly in the humanities, have also diminished students’ quality of education. This issue has become more urgent with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the evolving demands of the job market. Employers, charities, organisations, and the industry sector are looking for graduates who not only have a technical or business background, but also professionals with strong critical thinking and ethical skills.
However, the current trend in higher education policy, driven by cost-cutting measures and business models, erodes this balance. According to the University and College Union, several universities have faced the cessation of funding in the UK, leading to programme closures and faculty voluntary compulsory redundancies. Institutions such as Cardiff University, Goldsmiths, University of London, Roehampton University and Sheffield Hallam University have seen substantial reductions in the Humanities degrees.
The statistics are alarming and concerning. For example, Canterbury Christ Church University has announced 400 full-time equivalent job cuts to save £20 million. At the University of East Anglia, one in six employees faces redundancy.
At the same time, Cardiff University plans to discontinue all programmes in Nursing, Music, Modern Languages, Ancient History, and Religion.
These aren’t just “statistics;” they represent real people, decades of attained knowledge, and the devotion of academic excellence and integrity. These reductions undermine the quality of education and weaken the foundation of a workforce prepared with the critical and analytical skills necessary for the modern industry sector.
Beyond the Numbers
The consequences of these cuts run deeper than immediate job losses. When universities prioritise financial savings over their philosophical mission, it has considerable societal repercussions.
Loss of Expertise and Senior Mentorship
Senior academics, many of whom have dedicated their careers to research and teaching, are being forced out. With them comes invaluable institutional knowledge and mentorship opportunities for students and young staff members.
Deteriorating Student Experience
As class sizes grow and course offerings shrink, the quality of education inevitably suffers. Students find themselves in overcrowded classrooms, with overworked faculty members struggling to maintain the same level of educational excellence.
The Humanities Under Siege
Philosophy, ethics, religion, history and languages are fundamental disciplines that teach critical thinking and cultural understanding and are often considered expendable. This shortsighted approach ignores these subjects’ crucial role in developing open-minded professionals able to handle everyday issues, including AI changes, uncertainty and risks.
The Impact of AI
This AI shift is reshaping the workplace, and the timing of these cuts couldn’t be more problematic. While technical skills are essential, employers seek graduates who combine technical qualifications with critical thinking and ethical reasoning, the skills that the humanities create.
The Root Causes
Understanding how we got here is crucial. Several factors have contributed to this crisis:
- Declining public investment in higher education has forced universities to rely heavily on tuition fees and private funding.
- Post-pandemic financial struggles continue to affect enrollment numbers and operational costs.
- The shift toward treating universities as businesses rather than educational institutions has led to prioritising financial metrics over academic knowledge and excellence or Socratic questioning of everything we do and learn.
- Stricter immigration policies (including Brexit) have made attracting European and international students harder, a crucial funding source for many institutions.
What Can Be Done?
Reform University Governance
University leadership must return to prioritising academic integrity over financial surplus targets. This includes meaningfully involving faculty in decision-making processes.
Reinvest in the Core Humanities Disciplines
We need a renewed commitment to funding the humanities and allied disciplines, understanding their essential function in preparing qualified individuals to use responsible, clear and transparent AI systems.
Government Intervention
Increased public funding and policy adjustments could provide immediate relief to struggling institutions.
The current direction of higher education in the UK raises concerns for those who value quality education and societal progress. It’s not just about job preservation; it’s about protecting universities’ roles in fostering critical thinkers and informed citizens. In the face of complex global challenges, we need more significant investment in education. The humanities, focusing on critical thinking and ethics, are pivotal in our AI ethical world.
