University Scraps English Literature Degrees

1 minute(s) ·  November 7, 2024

Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent will end its English Literature degree due to low demand, a decision that has disappointed many.

Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent has announced that it will discontinue its English Literature degree program starting in September next year, citing a decline in student interest. The decision has sparked disappointment, especially considering Canterbury’s literary heritage, highlighted by The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th-century work, and the legacies of notable writers such as Christopher Marlowe and Aphra Behn. Canterbury, a city long associated with English literature, now faces a significant cultural shift with the loss of this academic program.

The university confirmed that current first and second-year English Literature students can complete their degrees with the same quality of teaching, while foundation-year students will have the opportunity to transition to other courses. Although the university has yet to specify job impacts, they assured staff would be “supported” during the transition.

A university spokesperson explained the decision stems from an ongoing evaluation process to align programs with student demand and employment trends, adding that the course was “no longer viable in the current climate.” This move, however, has prompted criticism from some, who see it as a loss for Canterbury’s rich literary tradition. One student described it as a “betrayal” of the city’s cultural legacy.