UK universities cut thousands of humanities and social science posts, creating subject cold spots

The British Academy reported that nearly 4,000 academic jobs in social sciences, humanities and arts were eliminated in the 12 months to December 2024, and regional gaps now limit access to classics and theology.

• Social work saw the largest percentage cut at 9%, followed by English and classics at 8% each, the analysis found.
• Business and management lost 930 posts, the most of any subject, a 5% reduction in a single year.
• British Academy chief executive Hetan Shah said the cuts are now affecting subjects such as English and business and increasingly Russell Group universities.
• University and College Union general secretary Jo Grady called for an emergency government rescue package, stating that humanities are being "extinguished."