Wollongong confirms plans to axe 92 jobs and close courses

An Australian university has confirmed plans to axe 92 jobs and shut four “unviable” disciplines, but some courses marked for closure have won a reprieve.

Cultural studies, Japanese, Mandarin and science and technology studies are the programmes being wound down as part of a A$21 million (£10.6 million) savings plan at the University of Wollongong.

The full-time equivalent (FTE) of 91.6 roles will go, with voluntary redundancies having been accepted for about three-quarters of those positions to date.

Wollongong, serving a New South Wales coastal city south of Sydney, said the changes had been made necessary in part by Australian government restrictions on international student enrolments which had contributed to an A$35 million drop in revenue in 2024.

But it said some disciplines originally slated for closure would now be retained “through staffing and curriculum changes”, including human geography, and “some teaching” in earth sciences, French, Spanish, and English language and linguistics.

Of 25 programmes originally identified as being “in-scope”, Wollongong said that 15 were now “finalised having achieved the required reductions in staffing and/or curriculum changes”. A further six were “finalised in-principle but require further FTE reduction and will now move to an expression of interest process to achieve viable staffing levels”.

The four disciplines being closed will be taught out for existing students, “along with appropriate supervisory and support arrangements in place to ensure continuity in their studies”.

“Change is never easy, but it is essential to secure UOW’s future,” said John Dewar, Wollongong’s interim vice-chancellor.

“These adjustments allow us to respond to immediate challenges while preparing for sustained growth and excellence into the future. The steps we are taking today will ensure that UOW remains competitive, innovative and committed to delivering an outstanding student experience.”

The announcement comes after Wollongong announced that Max Lu, currently vice-chancellor of the University of Surrey, would join it as vice-chancellor in May.

Universities across Australia are cutting jobs after government plans to cap international student enrolments and a decision to throttle visa processing for some institutions and territories led to a downturn in interest from overseas learners.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com