The University of Nottingham’s council has approved a business plan that will close five music degree programs and absorb music-related research into the School of Computer Science, Arts Professional reported. Staff in affected departments were informed on October 5, though the university has not confirmed how many redundancies could result.
The decision follows the Future Nottingham program announced in November 2025, which proposed suspending music and modern language courses for incoming students, citing low demand and significant financial challenges. The university said a societal shift has significantly affected student demand for music degrees, with declining recruitment reflecting changing demographics and educational preferences.
Dr Hannah Robbins, the university’s head of music, said the department had run for more than 100 years and pioneered the study of music education in universities. A staff statement said the decision threatened to end over a century of music education at the heart of the East Midlands.
ISM senior policy and campaigns manager Naomi McCarthy called the decision desperately disappointing, saying university music departments provide an essential talent pipeline into the industry and the next generation of music teachers. The university said extracurricular music will continue through Lakeside Arts, including choirs, orchestras and performances, and that up to four new full-time roles will be created in the School of Computer Science for research at the intersection of music, technology and innovation.
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