Cuts to arts and humanities

I’m hoping to be studying on the Creative Writing degree starting this year but have just seen this news story https://archive.is/2023.06.24-235326/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ian-mcewan-enduring-ire-university-east-anglia-writing-course-cuts-9gpks9bs3
How definite are the cuts to staff and how much difference will it make to my studies? Wondering if I should defer to see what happens.

Original post by mockduck

I’m hoping to be studying on the Creative Writing degree starting this year but have just seen this news story https://archive.is/2023.06.24-235326/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ian-mcewan-enduring-ire-university-east-anglia-writing-course-cuts-9gpks9bs3
How definite are the cuts to staff and how much difference will it make to my studies? Wondering if I should defer to see what happens.

Unfortunately cuts to humanities aren't going to be reversed any time soon so deferring likely won't make it any better; if I was being pessimistic, I would say that it would make it worse. Many humanities departments across the UK are being slimmed or shut down altogether - it's a nationwide thing that's deeply depressing.

Reply 2

username6267525

OP

2

Original post by Sandtrooper

Unfortunately cuts to humanities aren't going to be reversed any time soon so deferring likely won't make it any better; if I was being pessimistic, I would say that it would make it worse. Many humanities departments across the UK are being slimmed or shut down altogether - it's a nationwide thing that's deeply depressing.

Good point :frown:

Reply 3

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

15

Original post by mockduck

I’m hoping to be studying on the Creative Writing degree starting this year but have just seen this news story https://archive.is/2023.06.24-235326/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ian-mcewan-enduring-ire-university-east-anglia-writing-course-cuts-9gpks9bs3
How definite are the cuts to staff and how much difference will it make to my studies? Wondering if I should defer to see what happens.

I would honestly stay don't wait around for a humanities subject. Start as soon as you can so you can make the most of the creative writing department before the cuts start taking a real toll on SHAPE subjects.

I've just finished my final year of undergraduate and for creative writing at least it shouldn't make too much of a difference (at least at my university) because most of the workshopping was focused on peer-to-peer feedback with tutors providing feedback as the discussion goes on. So if you're planning on doing Creative Writing I would say go for it!

Hope this helps,
Dominic :smile: