The University of Exeter has verified that it’s cutting the geography degree programmes at its Penryn campus in Cornwall.
Representatives of a university trade union have slammed the move and said the announcement “directly contradicts” the university’s previous statement that “these are proposals at this stage. The university is not proposing to close any departments or disciplines”.
The news follows the announcement last month that almost 60 jobs are at risk at the campus, which shares its grounds with Falmouth University at Tremough.
The University of Exeter said its proposals were for a reduction equivalent to around 150 full-time roles, which it hopes can be achieved through voluntary redundancies and insisted no departments or disciplines would be closed as a result of the cuts.
It was revealed in July that of the 150 proposed job cuts, 59 jobs at the university’s Penryn campus are under consultation. The university said this could lead to 20 people losing their jobs at the Cornwall site.
A spokesperson for the University of Exeter told us this morning (Friday, August 14): “The university has taken the difficult decision that the BA/BSc geography and associated joint undergraduate programmes at our Penryn campus will not admit new students in September 2026.
“We appreciate that this is a difficult decision for colleagues working on these programmes. We will continue to communicate directly with affected staff and provide appropriate support and information.”
The Exeter branch of the University and College Union (UCU) has criticised the decision, saying it risks undermining the university’s contribution to local environmental resilience and the regional skills base in the South West.
A spokesperson for the branch said on Thursday: “This morning, the university announced that it will close its geography programmes in Penryn. This includes the BA/BSc geography degrees, as well as the BA history and geography and BA politics and geography programmes.
“As a result, there will be no new students starting these programmes in September 2026. There is now no geography degree programmes available in Cornwall. Staff found out at the same time as offer holders and prospective students when the UCAS embargo was lifted this morning at 8am.
“This announcement directly contradicts the university’s previous statement that ‘these are proposals at this stage. The university is not proposing to close any departments or disciplines’.”
The union spokesperson added: “The decision is particularly difficult to understand given the challenges facing our region. Recent heatwaves, droughts and local fires have devastated habitats and ecosystems and demonstrated the growing environmental pressures facing Devon and Cornwall.
“At precisely this moment, we need a strong pipeline of critically trained geographers with the expertise to understand and respond to climate change, environmental degradation, land use, flooding, biodiversity loss and other pressures on our communities.
“Instead, the university is removing the opportunity to train those future specialists. These cuts are no longer simply proposals: they are already being experienced by staff, students and the wider community. They risk undermining the university’s contribution to local environmental resilience, the regional skills base and Exeter’s position as a centre of expertise in addressing the climate and ecological crises.”
We asked the University of Exeter to verify the news and respond to the union’s concerns.
A spokesperson told us: “The university has taken the difficult decision that the BA/BSc geography and associated joint undergraduate programmes at our Penryn campus will not admit new students in September 2026. Geography programmes will continue to run, as normal, on our Streatham campus [in Exeter].
“We recognise that this is disappointing for affected applicants and difficult for colleagues associated with these programmes. We have sought to give applicants as much notice and support as possible. Affected offer holders were contacted directly several weeks ago to make them aware that the programmes were under review and to discuss the options available to them, including programmes in Penryn and Streatham.
“The decision has been taken at this point so that applicants have clarity and can make informed decisions about their university choices. Current students on the affected programmes will continue to be supported to complete their studies, and we remain committed to our Penryn campus.
“We appreciate that this is a difficult decision for colleagues working on these programmes. We will continue to communicate directly with affected staff and provide appropriate support and information.”
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