Cardiff University has announced that it intends to save its music and languages courses from closure, in a further move to scale back its savings plans.

The institution had initially intended to scrap music and modern foreign languages courses as part of wide-ranging cost-cutting measures, which would have seen some languages no longer taught in Wales.

But, following a staff consultation, the university’s vice-chancellor Wendy Larner has said that the courses will be maintained “albeit with revised structures and with a smaller staff base” in new proposals that will be put to the university’s council for approval on 17 June.

This news marks yet another softening in tone by Cardiff, which at one point was looking to make the biggest staff cuts in the sector after it announced plans to cut 400 roles in January.��It has since reduced its savings target to 138 roles – although this figure does not include those who have left via voluntary severance – and had already said that it would no longer close its nursing courses.��

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Despite saving more of its courses, the university said that there was “no further update” on its redundancy targets at this stage.��

In an email seen by ����Vlog, Larner outlined that music would be maintained with “revised entry targets and content”, and that the institution would continue to offer modern languages programmes “but [move] to smaller cohorts” primarily in French, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese. The university will also seek to expand its translation degree provision.

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Cardiff will, however, press ahead with plans to scrap ancient history and religion and theology, which Larner acknowledged would be “very disappointing” for impacted staff.��

In the email Larner writes: “I would like to thank all of you who have provided feedback on the arts and humanities, contributed to workshops and feedback sessions, and submitted alternative proposals.

“This input has been key to arriving at these proposals. I also want to acknowledge the anxiety that the academic future project has created for many of you, and I hope that today’s announcement brings some reassurance.��

“There is much work yet to be done to realise the ambitions of this new school, and I hope you will feel able to play a part in this.”

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Cardiff’s University and College Union called off a planned strike and marking and assessment boycott after the university agreed to not enact compulsory redundancies earlier this year. It said it “cautiously welcomed” previous announcements by the university that it was cutting its redundancy targets, but warned that there remained “numerous areas of grave concern for our members about management’s continued programme of cuts”.

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com