Recruitment for all performing arts courses at the University of Wolverhampton has been suspended due to ‘decline in demand’ and 'increased costs'.
138 undergraduate and postgraduate courses will be impacted from September, including those from the School of Performing Arts in courses such as musical theatre, audio technology acting, dance and digital production arts.
Wolverhampton University and College Union has labelled the decision 'devastating and heartbreaking’ in a statement on Twitter.
The University of Wolverhampton said in a statement that the Covid-19 pandemic has 'significantly increased costs' to the University, and that 'enrolments have been falling with associated loss of income'.
The statement continues: 'The decline in demand nationally and regionally means that some courses are unfortunately not feasible for September 2022 recruitment because of the very small number of students that have applied, and we now need to work on what a sustainable arts offer looks like.’
Interim vice-chancellor, professor Ian Campbell, said: ‘The reduction in student income, combined with increases in pay and non-pay costs including pension costs, alongside the impact of the pandemic, means the university is facing a very challenging financial landscape and a significant deficit in the current financial year.
Campbell has outlined a ‘robust recovery action plan’ for the University, offering impacted employees the opportunity to leave their role in return for a compensation payment.
Raising concerns over the future of music and drama education in the West Midlands, the Wolverhampton University and College Union added: ‘The performing arts students are largely from the West Midlands (65 per cent) and largely first-generation university students (70 per cent). Their education in the performing arts ripples out into the local community and the wider industries, and we are so proud of them.’
It continued: ‘Courses will be immediately closed to recruitment. We have been told this is nominally for a one-year period, but this is being carried out in tandem with large scale ’mutually agreed resignation’ schemes with compulsory redundancies likely.’
Following the announcement, members of the music education community have been sharing their views on Twitter with the hashtag #SaveSoPA
Unfortunately I think we will see a wave of such announcements across UK universities, due to funding being cut and the switch to T levels meaning there will be fewer students taking arts subjects at Level 3 to recruit from. An unfortunate double whammy. https://t.co/PEfTsv1Nm7
— Elizabeth Stafford (@DrLizStafford) May 16, 2022
This is devastating news for Music Education at a time when we need more teachers, workshop leaders etc to provide musical learning opportunities for children and young people! #saveSoPA https://t.co/Ts2xZcF966
— Bridget Whyte (@BWhyteMusic) May 17, 2022
Any applicants or students with queries are encouraged to contact the university on 01901323505.
