University of Aberdeen should 'carefully consider' languages cut plan

Concerned students held a protest last week

The University of Aberdeen should "carefully consider" its proposals to cut modern languages courses, the Scottish government has said.

The university said last week modern languages degrees were "unsustainable" in their current form.

One option being considered would see all modern languages degrees being scrapped.

The Scottish government has now said that it recognises the importance of learning an additional language.

Students protested outside a meeting where the plans were outlined last week.

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

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It also cited high staff numbers relative to students.

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.

Four European consulates in Scotland have raised fears about the future of the courses.

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

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In a statement to BBC Scotland News, a Scottish government spokesperson said they recognised the importance of learning an additional language "as it equips our young people with the skills they need in an increasingly globalised world".

"While this is ultimately a matter for the university as an autonomous institution, we would encourage the university to carefully consider its proposals to reduce its existing provision in modern languages," they added.

"Despite the Scottish government facing the most challenging financial environment since devolution, we have continued to support our colleges and universities through almost £2bn in annual investment."

The university declined to respond to the Scottish government statement.

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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