Uni to continue joint modern language honour degrees

Senior vice-principal Karl Leydecker announced the decision on Tuesday evening

Aberdeen University has said it will continue to offer joint honour degree programmes in modern languages, but not single honours programmes.

The university had blamed a steep fall in the number of students studying modern languages when it initially announced proposals which threatened the courses.

A protest was held on Monday evening, and more than 13,000 people signed a petition opposing the cuts.

Senior vice-principal Karl Leydecker said on Tuesday that the views of staff and students had been listened to.

A consultation period is being extended for further discussions on how to "increase student recruitment and make the delivery of provision more efficient".

However, the university will now make offers to applicants for entry in September 2024 for modern languages degree programmes except single honours degrees.

Prof Leydecker told BBC Scotland News: "We have listened really carefully to colleagues and students. We recognise language learning is important.

"Today’s decision means we will continue to offer joint degree programmes in modern languages, including Gaelic."

The University and College Union's Aberdeen branch said single honours degree provision was being lost, and the issue was "not over".

French, Gaelic, German and Spanish degrees were at the heart of the debate

Responding to the changes, Aberdeen University Students' Association said it was "incredibly disappointing" that there was no committment to protecting jobs or degree provisions.

In a statement, it said: "Axing single language degrees... before the end of the consultation, makes a mockery of the entire process.

"Extending the consultation by a month is a tokenistic gesture at best and does not allow for meaningful changes that could save both degrees and jobs."

Three options on the future of the university's modern language offering were put out for consultation.

The options were:

• Scrap single honours degrees in French, Gaelic, German and Spanish and reduce the number of courses required to deliver joint honours programmes

• Scrap single and joint honours degrees in French, Gaelic, German and Spanish but continue "with language" programmes like International Business with French

• Scrap all language programmes with a named language but offer a language as an elective course in first or second year.