Concerns about the fate of the humanities in higher education grew after Sheffield Hallam University announced that it would suspend its degree in English literature.
A university spokesman confirmed that English literature was among a small number of courses that were either suspended or closed, but said the changes would not involve job losses.
A number of universities have made cuts in the arts and humanities following government repression of what ministers see as “low-value” courses.
Under the new rules, universities can be penalized if less than 75% of students complete their courses and less than 60% are in a professional job or studying for an additional degree within 15 months of graduation.
The universities of Roehampton and Wolverhampton have similarly proposed layoffs, and Union and College Union said jobs are also at risk in De Montfort and Huddersfield.
A Sheffield Hallam spokesman said: “As a large comprehensive university offering more than 600 bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees, we maintain our portfolio of courses under constant review to ensure that they are in line with the latest requirements from students and employers.
“Whatever students choose to study at Sheffield Hallam, they will graduate with the confidence and skills to deal with real-world problems after having the chance to complete professional experience in each year of their chosen curriculum.
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Dr. Mary Peace, a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam who specializes in 18th-century literature, expressed embarrassment at the decision on social media.
“The English diploma in Sheffield Hallam has been” terminated, “she wrote on Twitter. “The university is accountable to the government, which will no longer fund degrees where 60% [of] students do not complete “highly qualified” jobs within six months.
“When was it more important in our history for young people to be able to manipulate language and understand how they were manipulated by language and stories?”
“What kind of society will we have if there is no place for people of all social classes and backgrounds to have the opportunity to read and think (or work in a bar for two years while trying to write a novel) before they have to adjust to the workplace ? “
In another publication, she added: “The craft of the humanities after 92 years [universities] is cultural vandalism. “
Michel Donelan, the minister of higher and further education, said the government recognizes that all subjects, including the arts and humanities, can lead to positive student outcomes.
But she added: “Courses that do not lead students to work or study further fail both the students who put in their time and effort and the taxpayer, who bears a significant part of the costs.
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