Dear members

We are following up with you regarding our concerns about the high number of programmes that are being withdrawn across Faculties.

The Quality and Curriculum Management (QCM) system is displaying requests for the 21 programmes below to be withdrawn or suspended – this has happened in the last few months, where as far as we can tell there are usually only two or three such programme closures in an average year. The University Executive Board (EB) have not claimed that this unusual pattern of programme closures has been ordered by them. We therefore would expect EB to be deeply concerned about such an atypically high number of programme closures being rushed through at once.

If you have any concerns or further information of any programmes you know are facing closure, or risk of closure, please get in touch. We would particularly advise people to get in touch if they have been asked to hide information about these programme closures from potential applicants (e.g. at recruitment events) or have any role where you have been placed under undue pressure to force a programme closure through administrative processes, particularly where there has not been full adherence to the relevant Code of Practice.https://surrey-ucu.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/code.jpg

In addition to the programmes below already on QCM for suspension / withdrawal approval, we are aware of approximately 30 others that have intake numbers of around 15 or less, and that there are programmes in all Faculties, and among many Schools. In many cases, these programmes are so well integrated with others that it is not clear where any saving will be made. We have asked executive board members for the financial implications of closing programmes but have not, as yet, been provided with any information on this point.

Given the opacity from senior management that we are experiencing when repeatedly seeking clarification on these developments, we will be urgently raising these issues at the imminent JNCC.

Thank you

Surrey UCU