University in Kent scraps English Literature course, following trend of cancelled degrees

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Earlier this month, Canterbury Christ Church University announced that they will no longer be offering their English Literature course to incoming students in September 2025. The university claimed that the decision was in response to the “significant decline” in students, which made the course “no longer viable in the current climate.”

Whilst current English Literature undergraduates will be able to finish their degrees, the decision was still a shocking one, particularly given Kent’s rich literary history. One English literature student, Freya Hodge, described Canterbury to the BBC as a city “bursting with heritage”, as it was previously home to many notable writers including Geoffrey Chaucer, Christopher Marlowe, and Aphra Behn. However, studies support Canterbury University’s claims of declining interest, as two years ago, UCAS reported that English acceptances fell from 9,480 in 2012 to 6,435 in 2021. 

Many other UK universities have also followed this trend of scrapped arts and humanities degrees, generally citing financial issues as the reason. For example, Cardiff announced plans to scrap ancient language modules due to their financial deficit of £12.7 million. Goldsmiths, University of London, also planned to stop offering certain arts and humanities modules, whilst making cuts to others, such as their Queer History, Black Literature and Black British History programmes – and that’s just naming a few. 

This concerning trend is likely due to a growing devaluation of arts and humanities degrees in wider society. Whilst some students have responded to these cuts with petitions, strikes, and even legal action, only time will tell how far this will truly prevent the decline of these degrees.