University of Aberdeen modern languages 'unsustainable in current form'

Concerned students held a protest on Thursday afternoon

The University of Aberdeen has confirmed it is considering scrapping its modern languages degrees amid claims they are "unsustainable" in their current form.

It comes after four European consulates in Scotland raised fears about the future of the courses.

Students protested outside a meeting where the plans were outlined.

The university blamed a steep fall in the number of students studying modern languages for the proposals.

It also cited high staff numbers relative to students.

Senior vice-principal Karl Leydecker said it was a "difficult time".

A consultation will now be carried out on three options for future of provision at the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture (LLMVC).

The options are:

• 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.

This poster was on a door at the university

Prof Leydecker, who chairs the steering group on the issue, said: "It is deeply regrettable that the provision of modern languages at the university is unsustainable in its current form, with low and falling numbers of students.

"The steering group looks forward to engaging with the school to explore the options through the process of consultation before reaching final conclusions on our future provision.

"It is clearly a very difficult time for staff in Modern Languages and the wider School of LLMVC."

He added: "A range of support is being provided."

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The university said that whatever decisions were taken following the consultation, it would ensure that any students currently enrolled on programmes in modern languages would be able to complete their studies.

The French, German, Spanish and Italian consulates have already expressed concern about the proposals, it emerged earlier this week.

In a joint letter to the university, they said: "In a time of widespread budgetary constraints, we believe it is important to defend and preserve linguistic and cultural studies as an essential part of the university's commitment to humanities."

Fhiona Mackay, director of Scotland's National Centre for Languages, said she was worried about the implications of any cuts to language courses.

"I think we've got a real issue about social justice here," she said.

"If you're a young person living in the north of the country and you don't have access to the financial wherewithal to move to the Central Belt and you want to study a language, your options are nil if these languages degrees are taken away."

The potential changes to modern language courses follow recent cost pressures at the university.

Staff have been told they will be supported if they are thinking about a voluntary exit or early retirement.

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