Over 2,000 protest cuts in languages at Heriot-Watt University

The petition was set up by UCU branch at the university in response to plans to cut a third of staff at the university's Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies. The plans would see 11 jobs lost and the end to undergraduate teaching in German and Chinese.

The cuts are part of a wider proposal at the university cutting jobs across the university's Scottish and Malaysian campuses including the potential ending of the Scholar programme which delivers online learning in schools. Members of the branch recently voted by 74% to back strike action on a turnout of 70% and the staff at the university will be taking strike action during March and into April.

As well as overwhelming support in the petition, the university principal has also been written to by representatives from industry bodies including the Association for German Studies in Great Britain and Ireland; Women in German Studies; and the German Language Association. The union also understands that various European consulates have asked the university principal for meetings to outline their concerns. The letter makes clear that cuts made in haste to language teaching and research aren't easily reversed and that the proposals bring significant reputational risk for the university. The letter says that '... As a university that has consistently been at the forefront of teaching and research in translation and interpreting, Heriot-Watt is now in danger of damaging its hard-earned international unique selling point...' and that LINCS is a model for the sector in Scotland and beyond bringing professional and economic benefit for graduates of the subjects. 

The cuts come at a time when the provision of languages has been under threat at other universities in Scotland, most recently at Aberdeen in 2024 where strikes over cuts to languages provision were only averted at the last minute when compulsory redundancies were ruled out. 

Branch spokesperson, Marion Winters, said: 'It's completely wrong to be making cuts in the provision of languages, as it is wrong to make cuts across the university. UCU members voted for and will take action to defend jobs. University management need to listen not just to their staff and students; but also to the 2,000 plus people who have signed this petition and industry experts and academics who are warning that these cuts will damage the university's reputation. We're calling for management to engage in meaningful talks and to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies.'

Jo Grady, UCU General Secretary, said: 'The attack on languages in our universities is wrong. To cut back on the teaching of German and Chinese makes no sense educationally, culturally or economically. Members at Heriot-Watt are deciding the next steps in this dispute but I'm clear that saving jobs in LINCS and across the university will be a major part of the union's action.'