In December 2025, the branch published a counter-proposal document to the University’s course closures announced in November.
We offer this counter-proposal in the spirit of the November agreement between the branch and the University, which included the University stating (with emphasis added):
We make a commitment to meaningful and immediate engagement i.e. w/c 17th November with unions to discuss timeframes and proposals with sufficient time to review 2026 recruitment for suspended courses. By meaningful we mean the University to provide in as quick as time as possible, any data needed to allow for a counter proposal to suspension. This counter proposal will be seriously considered and responded to. The aim of the counter proposal is to show other areas of potential investment the University will adopt, with the sole aim of ensuring the reversal of potential suspension in time for 2026 or 2027 recruitment.
This counter proposal was contributed to by UCU members from across the branch, and is intended to form a sincere and constructive alternative to management’s proposed suspensions and closures. Given the short timeframe, detailed course- and area-specific counter-proposals are still being finalised and will be made available on the website from January. The document will be shared with the University Executive Board and University Council.
Read the full Counter-Proposal to the University’s Course Suspension Plan here.
