The University of Leicester has confirmed the closure of its Modern Languages and Film Studies departments, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the academic community. This announcement, made on March 23, 2026, comes after a year-long strategic review and has resulted in nearly 300 prospective students having their UCAS offers rescinded mid-admissions cycle.
At least 17 academic jobs are now at risk due to these closures, raising concerns about the future of language education in the East Midlands. The closures have been met with significant backlash, particularly from the University and College Union (UCU), which has coordinated 28 days of industrial action since the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
Current students will be allowed to complete their degrees by 2029, but the long-term implications of these closures are already being felt. Maite Usoz De La Fuente, a faculty member, expressed her dismay, stating, “For many of us, this is likely to be career-ending.”
Dr. Joseph Choonara, another faculty member, noted, “We’ve been fighting against this for many months now so it wasn’t surprising to hear they are going through with it.” The sentiment among faculty is one of frustration, as many feel they were not given a fair chance to prevent these closures.
The situation is particularly dire for language education in the region. Usoz De La Fuente warned, “In the East Midlands, De Montfort University closed its department a few years ago, University of Leicester has announced their closure and if Nottingham University closes their course as well as they plan to, there will be nowhere in the East Midlands to study language at a degree level.”
This trend of course closures is part of a broader pattern in UK higher education, where financial pressures are forcing universities to prioritize courses with higher enrollment. Further reviews are underway in departments including Chemistry, Geography, Geology, and Environment, raising the possibility of more closures in the future.
As the situation unfolds, the university community is left grappling with the immediate consequences and the uncertain future of their programs. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential alternative solutions or support for affected students and faculty.