Languages at University of Aberdeen under threat

Language courses at the University of Aberdeen could face the chopping block amid a reduction in enrolments.

Staff, students and politicians have been vocal about the potential cuts, sparking a campaign urging the university to rethink the plans.

It's understood EU Consulates in Scotland have now joined the campaign, after it emerged they have written to the university to express their concerns about the proposals.

The university says there has been a "long-term and accelerating reduction" in enrolments for degrees in modern languages.

Green MSP Maggie Chapman previously submitted a letter to management claiming it will have a wider impact on the north-east - with the nearest place to study languages being in St. Andrews.

She said: "It will have wide ranging impacts, not only on the university itself but on the region. Staff are anxious that they will lose their jobs - we know that honours degrees in languages, culture and societies are really important to our broader understanding of our society.

"The North East needs a comprehensive university and I share the concerns raised by staff, students and by EU consulates who are urging the university to reconsider their position and ensure that we maintain the provision of languages in Aberdeen."

A consultation has been launched into the future of the department with the results expected to be published later this week.

However, any cuts to programmes will not affect current students.

Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, Editor in Chief at the university's newspaper, The Gaudie, says he's aware of a "decent reduction" of enrolments in language courses post-pandemic.

He said: "The university has said any changes will not affect current students but I think that being put aside there is still a lot of anxiety.

"We have spoken to several and they were very clear that studying those degree programmes were essential in their university experience. It provided them with opportunities, experience, many of them got to go abroad and study in a different country and all these things will be taken away if the degree programmes are cut."

The University welcomed the letter from EU consulates and have said they will take it into consideration.

A University of Aberdeen spokesperson said: “We have thanked the Consuls Generals for their message and have assured them that the Steering Group overseeing our review of languages will consider their letter.

“The University is committed to continuing to provide opportunities for all students at the University of Aberdeen to learn languages, but we are unfortunately not in a position to make a commitment to the continuation of our current provision given the long term and accelerating reduction in enrolments for degrees in modern languages.”