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I graduated from Nottingham University with a BA in Russian. After a life-changing period studying in Russia as part of my degree, I became the confident and rounded person I am today. Upon graduating, I secured a job in a FTSE 250 company who specifically wanted to hire a native English speaker with fluency in Russian. I wouldn't be where I am today without my modern languages degree.  

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I graduated from Nottingham University with a BA in Russian. After a life-changing period studying in Russia as part of my degree, I became the confident and rounded person I am today. Upon graduating, I secured a job in a FTSE 250 company who specifically wanted to hire a native English speaker with fluency in Russian. I wouldn't be where I am today without my modern languages degree.  

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Speaking to people in their mother tongue makes a difference 

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Speaking to people in their mother tongue makes a difference 

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I think the proposal to remove modern language degrees is foolhardy and short sighted.

Languages are essential for the economy, intercultural understanding and national security.

I am an alumna of another Russell Group university, where I studied German, Russian and Swedish. The experiences I had shaped my career and the person I became.

I made memories that will last a lifetime: celebrating New Year's Eve on Red Square for the Russian millennium in 2001 and my 21st birthday with a meal at the Fernsehturm in Berlin.

I worked for Siemens Energy and used my German to negotiate with suppliers and colleagues. By speaking with them in their own language, I got different answers to my those who couldn't speak it. In fact, I missed using it so much that I changed career to become a German tutor.

During my PGCE, I was fortunate to be able to do an Erasmus+ placement at a school in Schwäbisch Gmünd. I had a much more enjoyable time than a peer, who only had GCSE German that he was reluctant to use. I could chat to staff during breaks and at lunch time, as well as asking questions. He had to wait for the English speaking staff, so he struggled to build relationships. I integrated with the local community by joining a choir and singing in German.

Not everyone speaks English, despite beliefs to the contrary. This is particularly true outside large cities and people forget what they might have learned, if they don't use it regularly. To truly understand what makes people tick, you need to speak their language and understand their history and culture. You can't use Google Translate or an app to do that.

Depriving students of these opportunities would be extremely damaging for the university, the East Midlands region and the UK as a whole.

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A global university that won't teach languages, isn't one

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A global university that won't teach languages, isn't one

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Although I did not study Modern Languages at Nottingham, my time studying History there shaped my relationship with languages profoundly. I was inspired by the bilingual students and staff around me, and after graduating I began learning other languages myself. That decision has opened doors, both personally and professionally, that I could never have anticipated: I now run a company across two countries, in two languages every single day. The value of language learning cannot be overstated.

To see the university I attended, in the city where I began my professional career walk away from languages entirely is hugely disappointing. I know first-hand what learning a language provides: not just the ability to communicate, but the ability to engage deeply with another culture and to build genuine relationships, both personal and professional across borders.

At a time when the UK faces a well-documented shortage of language skills, and when employers consistently rank multilingual ability among the most valuable graduate attributes, removing the opportunity to study languages at degree level is extraordinarily short-sighted. It also sits uncomfortably with Nottingham's identity as a global university  and a proud tradition of international engagement.

The consequences will reach well beyond the university itself. Staff and students will feel the loss first, but so too will the wider East Midlands, as talented prospective students who want languages as part of their education choose to study elsewhere taking their skills, and their futures, with them.

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The richness and range of my language studies at the University of Nottingham shaped my professional and personal development. I studied for a BA in German at UoN in 1986-1990, which also included two years of French study and one year of Dutch, as well as a year studying at the University of Trier in Germany. I then stayed on at UoN for a year to do the Masters in Contemporary German Literature, before taking a CELTA course and moving to eastern Germany to teach English 1992-1996 at the University of Halle-Wittenberg. Since returning to the UK, I have had a career in teaching in Higher Education: German, English Language, and then a move into Sociology, which has taken me back to some of the cultural, social, and philosophical strands of my original BA in German. I have undertaken a doctorate in Education alongside my work. Studying languages gave me a deep belief in the importance of being open to new experiences, ideas, and connections. Language shapes and reflects society, and it saddens me profoundly to think that others may not be able to have the mind-broadening and stimulating opportunities that I had through my studies at UoN. In this age of deep social disruption through climate crisis and developments in AI, it is more important than ever that young people can gain skills in communication, human interaction, and understanding of others.

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Languages at UoN were transformative for me

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Languages at UoN were transformative for me

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I studied German, Spanish and Portuguese during my time at UoN (2017-2023). It opened up the world to me and I can proudly say I’ve got friends from all over the globe now. I was heavily involved in Hispanic Society which boosted my language learning immensely. I have always been asked about the languages I can speak at job interviews and have received feedback that it made me stand out as a candidate. It definitely gave me the edge to secure a place on the highly competitive Graduate Scheme I’m now on. My current employer told me that it was evidence that I’m a lateral thinker and an effective communicator which is exactly what their organisation were looking for.

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I saw this being shared on LinkedIn through alumni and current staff.

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I studied French and Russian with Translation at the University of Nottingham from 2016 to 2020. Today, I have been a French and Spanish teacher for five years, and every day I find myself challenging the increasingly common attitude of, "Why learn another language when everyone speaks English?"

Despite these misconceptions, I continue to teach many students who are genuinely inspired by languages and who recognise the immense personal, cultural and professional value that multilingualism brings. They deserve the opportunity to continue that passion beyond school.

If universities continue to reduce funding for, or even close, Modern Foreign Languages departments, we risk severing the educational pathway for the next generation of linguists, translators, teachers and internationally-minded professionals. The consequences will extend far beyond higher education. At a time when global collaboration, diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding are more important than ever, the United Kingdom cannot afford to fall even further behind in language capability.

Investing in Modern Foreign Languages is an investment in our country's future. By protecting these courses, the University of Nottingham can continue to inspire and develop graduates who will contribute not only to education, but also to business, public service, international relations and countless other sectors where linguistic and cultural expertise is indispensable.

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Languages are important for the future of the UK

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Languages are important for the future of the UK

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Saving language learning at HE institutions in the UK should be a priority for any politician and political movement that wishes to maintain Britain's global primacy. It is absolute absurd that at a time of mounting tensions, where some sections of the British government and military are warning of potential threats from Russia among other foreign nations. If we are to take this as a real potential threat, then surely developing in depth knowledge of supposed enemies would be a good policy idea, e.g. like during the Cold War? It is absolutely both shortsighted, as well as irresponsible.

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I would not be doing a PhD now if I had not been able to study languages at Nottingham

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I would not be doing a PhD now if I had not been able to study languages at Nottingham

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The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at Nottingham is so important to me, and there is no way I would be where I am now without it. I grew up in nearby Derby where I attended a state comprehensive school with levels of progression to HE significantly below the national average. After a poor experience at a different university where, as a first-generation student in receipt of the maximum maintenance loan, I felt completely out of place, I decided to study languages at the University of Nottingham – the fact that the University was within commuting distance of home being a huge pull factor. I had studied A-level French at Bilborough College in Nottingham and, alongside advancing my French skills, I was keen to take on the new challenge of beginners' Russian (Nottingham being home to one of the oldest Russian sections in the country).

The care, support and dedication offered to me during my BA in Modern Languages and Translation enabled me to flourish academically and personally. I owe so much to so many talented staff in the department, without whom I would not have even considered the possibility of postgraduate research. But, with their support and encouragement, not to mention the internationally renowned research that takes place in linguistics within MLC, I decided to enrol on the MRes in Modern Languages. The fact that these programmes and opportunities may not exist for future local students is a source of great sadness and shame.

The connections I made through the MRes led me to Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, a charitable organisation which has close ties with UoN and does so much for Nottingham in terms of celebrating local literary heritage and championing literacy and creative writing in our community. Recent Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature projects and events have only been possible because of the support, time and expertise of UoN academics, including several in MLC, who now face the threat of redundancy. For over a year, I worked as Project Coordinator with Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature. In this role, where I worked with local communities in Nottingham as well as the international UNESCO Cities of Literature network, I experienced first-hand the inherent value of a Modern Languages degree from the University of Nottingham in enabling me to work effectively across different cultural and linguistic contexts, and to promote Nottingham’s credentials as a City of Literature internationally.

In 2024, I was successful in securing funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, via Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership, for a PhD in Linguistics based in MLC. My project is a Collaborative Doctoral Award with Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature as the non-HEI external partner. My research looks at how we can support and celebrate the diverse language heritages of young people in our city – both multilingual and local English varieties. The irony, of course, is that one of the key ways we can do this is by supporting the academics who make so much outreach and public engagement in this area possible.

If the decision to close all language programmes is not reversed, future students from the East Midlands who need to study close to home for whatever reason – be that caring responsibilities, financial hardship, mental health, etc – will no longer have the option to study Modern Languages open to them. I know that I would not be where I am now, nearly two years into a PhD with high potential for social impact locally, had that option not been open to me as a prospective undergraduate student.

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Alumna (BA Modern Languages with Translation 2017-21, MRes Modern Languages 2021-22) and current student (PhD Linguistics 2024-28)

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My languages degree has allowed me the opportunity to work in three different countries over three years and not just in the ones that share the language I studied. Three years of French with a year abroad in Brittany have led me now to teaching Japan where my managers have told me directly that my degree was why I was hired: because I was already competent in language learning, cultural sensitivity and in the resilience to withstand culture shock and estrangement from the people around me while starting a new job.

As for soft skills, I’m aware these are less important to the university at large than straightforward employability but cultural empathy and problem solving fostered by language learning has led me to thrive in varied environments since graduation: in hospitality, backstage at the theatre, in teaching and forming networks and connections within each of these fields.

Languages as a field underpin some of the foundation stones of our society and economy: diplomatic relations and international trade, community building on scales both small and large and within the creative and media industries. (Bread and circuses: famously needed to keep a people united) Language provision across the country is failing - for UoN to lead the charge in throwing away a treasure like our MLC department is both short-sighted and humiliating.

As a graduate the fact this is even being debated makes me ask whether the university even valued my contribution as student and as a volunteer within many other aspects of university life as well.

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Nottingham needs to expand its global presence, not shrink it.

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Nottingham needs to expand its global presence, not shrink it.

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Courses that keep our students, our university and our region looking outwards, not inwards, can only be a good thing. It is deeply disappointing and angering that the university is grasping for short-term solutions to try to claw back money in the near future, rather than trying to build a long-term legacy in the region as a hub for international relations. I can only assume this department is inconvenient for the University's recent strategy of milking Asian students for all they're worth, a strategy that will collapse in a few years and leave the university in even more dire straits than it currently is.

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A blow to those wishing to read languages at University.

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A blow to those wishing to read languages at University.

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The Journal of Languages, Texts and Society is an interdisciplinary postgraduate-run journal at the University of Nottingham that has languages and cultures baked into its DNA as it explores issues of translating and language learning. It also explores how culture impacts communication and the expression of the self, alongside a variety of other topics related to the study of languages and their importance to modern society. As such, we at the journal are deeply troubled by the proposed closure of the languages department at the university. It is a place where these issues can be explored freely and with the academic rigour expected of the university. If the department closes, students will no longer have that opportunity. We urge the university to reconsider its proposal and keep languages alive at Nottingham.

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The Team at the Journal of Languages, Texts and Society

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PGR student-led journal at the University of Nottingham

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I studied modern languages at UoN a few years ago and it has opened up so many doors for me. Languages are key for communication, connection and cultural understanding. My year abroad was the most valuable year of my life. I made lifelong friends, gained valuable work and life experience, and understood the lived experience of people from different backgrounds from my own. Without my degree in Modern Languages, I would never have found myself where I am now. The thought that others won't have access to the same opportunities I was afforded thanks to my degree is devastating.

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The government has  realised that there has been too much emphasis on STEM subjects. We need the Arts subjects just as much for a balanced society and economic growth. We don't all want to study Computer Science. Please find other ways of saving money at the university which won't impoverish your institution.

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The government has  realised that there has been too much emphasis on STEM subjects. We need the Arts subjects just as much for a balanced society and economic growth. We don't all want to study Computer Science. Please find other ways of saving money at the university which won't impoverish your institution.

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I studied French and Spanish at the University of Nottingham and I honestly feel so strongly that languages need to be protected.

My degree completely shaped my life and career. It gave me the chance to live abroad, build confidence, understand other cultures and become a qualified languages teacher. I now teach French and Spanish to GCSE and A-Level students, so the impact of my Nottingham degree is still being passed on to young people today.

Languages are so much more than just a subject. They build confidence, communication, empathy and opportunities. At a time when language learning is already under pressure in schools, it would be such a shame to see a university like Nottingham reduce its language provision.

Languages matter, and Nottingham should be proud to protect them.

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Modern Languages would be a huge loss for UoN 

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Modern Languages would be a huge loss for UoN 

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My BA and MA at University of Nottingham in Modern Languages shaped my personal and professional life and it would be awful to take that opportunity away from prospective students at UoN.

My year abroad gave me an appreciation, understanding and genuine curiosity for other cultures, language speakers and lifestyles which I think is increasingly important in a divided world. Personally my courses gave me such confidence and have lead me to work on the Olympics, the World Cup and in countries I would never have understood or been interested in otherwise!

The teaching staff at UoN have such a passion and drive for MLS and they really inspire generations to learn, explore and discover. Taking this away would be a detrimental loss to the county and the country!

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An essential asset for Britain's future.

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An essential asset for Britain's future.

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The study of languages, as many you already know, is a pivotal tool for society to move forward. This is not only thanks to the skills that it will provide to our future professional workers, but how they will be able to apply them in a plethora of industries. Industries that will benefit the country in many more ways than some politicians and clearly, university directors think.

Beyond this, the cultural exposure that language courses provide not only broadens people's vocabulary, but overall experiences and understanding of different cultures. Ergo, their value becomes essential, especially during these daring times.

As a University of Nottingham alumni, I am disgusted by the decisions that the institution has been undertaking. Languages are deep-rooted in one of the many things that make us human: Communication. If we are stripped off this, we will be stripped off one of the things that makes us human.

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An illogical proposal that will reduce opportunities in the East Midlands

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An illogical proposal that will reduce opportunities in the East Midlands

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I am a Nottingham MFL alumna (graduated 2012) and professional translator who grew up in Aspley, an area of Nottingham where just 13% of children go on to study at university, compared to the national average of 34%. UoN is the last remaining higher education institutions in the East Midlands offering degree courses in languages; their closure would leave talented young people in the region without the opportunity to study languages to degree level unless they have wealthy parents prepared to pay for them to move to a different part of the country.

I work as a translator for intergovernmental organisations in the United Nations system, a career where a degree in at least two UN languages is a minimum requirement. At this level, languages are not just an add-on or a "nice-to-have". A full mastery of foreign languages - with the degree certificate to prove it - is necessary to be able to access jobs in translation and interpreting for the UN system, particularly given the risks posed by inaccurate and insensitive language use. While technology is being increasingly used by translators, the idea that high-level language work will be done without human involvement at any point in the future is clearly absurd. There will therefore be an ongoing need for highly trained linguists for as long as governments engage with one another at the international level. UoN is special in that it allows students to study several languages at once - I learned Portuguese ab initio along with French and Spanish, which has been incredibly useful in my career.

It's clear from the outcry that cutting languages will increase barriers and reduce opportunities, but UoN also needs to realise the effect such a decision would have on its international standing and its reputation as a source of global talent. Without core humanities, UoN would effectively become a glorified technical college with a boating lake.

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While completing my PhD at the University of Nottingham, I was given the opportunity to take a language, so I opted to take Japanese. For so many students like me who did not do a degree in languages, opportunities to learn languages are still so, so important. Many of us want to travel and work abroad: language skills and competence are essential for that. Learning about other cultures is essential for that. The UK already is very lacking in language education, and stripping these opportunities from university students will only make that worse. The lack of language skills in the UK is internationally embarrassing. At a time like now with so much political divide, it feels like learning about languages and culture is more important than ever.

I also found that studying a language while doing my PhD supported my productivity - a phenomenon backed by research! Learning languages has so many well-documented cognitive benefits.

It feels quite unacceptable that a university labelling itself as 'international' is opting to place so little value on language education. To everyone who greatly values language and culture, it feels like an insult.

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MFL is a foundation for understanding our shared humanity.

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MFL is a foundation for understanding our shared humanity.

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I've no idea where to start. Class of 1999. A career founded on harnessing the human, societal and commercial value of difference.

I've delivered multiple career talks to MFL students on careers outside of languages, and the wealth of transferable skills that are essential to my job. People who have studied how to communicate impactfully to different audiences. Who understand the weight and power of words to carry centuries of nuance, culture, exclusion/inclusion, relatability and history. Whose intercultural intelligence brings together high performing global teams, bridges sociopolitical divides, reaches out to marginalised and disenfranchised groups, and brings to life the platinum rule - do not treat people as YOU wish to be treated, but as THEY wish to be treated. Intelligent conflict management, compassionate early intervention policy, the biopsychosocial model of public health, peaceful resolution capabilities, global trade partners... the list goes on. And on. And on.

And by the way, we speak a few languages too.

30 years on, I've still not found an English alternative that truly embraces the spirit of "no pasa nada". Or, indeed, "Je m'en fous".

Without MFL, we are ill-equipped to our shared humanity.

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Languages are crucial in an inter-connected world

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Languages are crucial in an inter-connected world

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As a University of Nottingham graduate of French and Philosophy, I am dismayed by the University's proposal to terminate undergraduate modern languages degrees. This decision is highly short-sighted and will significantly restrict educational and professional opportunities within the East Midlands.

My joint honors degree was foundational to my professional development. Studying a language opened up my worldview by requiring me to understand and adapt to different cultural frameworks. When paired with the analytical framework of philosophy, this education taught me how to evaluate complex information objectively, question assumptions, and navigate ambiguity with confidence.

These skills directly shaped the proactive, "can-do" attitude that I have relied upon throughout my career. Learning a language demands high levels of discipline and resilience, which translate directly into a solution-oriented mindset in the workplace. Furthermore, the communication skills and cultural awareness gained from my studies have been essential in fostering collaborative working across a diverse range of roles. Effective teamwork requires empathy and the ability to bridge differing perspectives - competencies that are core to language and humanities degrees.

Stopping the teaching of these subjects will deny future students the tools necessary to thrive in an interconnected global economy. Crucially, the impact on the local region will be heavily detrimental. Because many students choose or need to study locally, eliminating these degrees creates a regional "cold spot" for language provision. This will inevitably diminish social mobility and choke the pipeline for future language teachers in local schools, placing pupils in the East Midlands at a distinct disadvantage compared to the rest of the UK.

While the financial pressures facing universities are well documented, dismantling departments that produce adaptable, collaborative, and globally-minded graduates is a counterproductive strategy. I urge the University to reconsider these cuts, protect its civic mission, and maintain these vital academic pathways for the region.

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I learned Russian with Liza Lacy at Nottingham for several years around 2000. She was a knowledgeable and inspiring teacher and this opportunity led me to moving to Moscow for 15 years. Knowing Russian opened up a whole career as academic director at a language school for which I will always be grateful!

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I completed my degree in History and East European Cultural Studies in 2025. I chose the programme because of my background living in Russia and felt the degree perfectly combined that with my interest in history. Although I was somewhat naive, moving from Europe completely oblivious of UK universities - I was completely right. The Slavonic department is amazing and I could not have asked for better lecturers who provided such a phenomenal education.

Especially because of this unique joint degree programme, I felt like I was surrounded by people who understood me and had the same passions. My dissertation supervisor supported me in my even further niche of Medieval Rus, which has pushed me on to graduate studies at King's College London.

Beyond my interests, I got to explore so much more. I did not imagine that in my time there, I would explore things like Yugoslav literature. That course even inspired me to travel through the Balkans with my family and I think that demonstrates the power of education - learning about new cultures and being inspired to learn more. Did you know Nottingham is one of two universities in the UK which teaches Serbian-Croatian? What a loss it would be for 50% of opportunities to study it and the culture of the Balkans with the closing of MFL.

In addition to my degree, I also took two years of evening classes in German with the Language Centre. These were cancelled even before this announcement about MFL. These, also, were a highlight of my time there, as I was able to develop another language and meet people in Nottingham who weren't students (like my current boyfriend). I admire how it supported the local community in language learning too, which is another shame about the closure of MFL - doesn't the Midlands deserve language education?

UoN, to me, is Modern Languages and Cultures, because that is the faculty that shaped me and supported me and made me proud to go to this university. It creates an amazing community of like-minded people, but also forces you to learn and explore new cultures and find community where you might not expect it.

I was a proud alumnus of MFL, because it was the best part of my life so far; now I comment to people in shame how the university wants to cut this amazing faculty.

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I graduated with a degree in Modern Language Studies (French, German and Spanish) in 2020. I'd studied French and German until A-Level, and knew that I wanted to continue them, as well as picking up another language. Nottingham was one of the only universities that would allow me to study three languages with equal weighting for the entirety of the degree programme, which was originally why I chose the university. When I arrived at Nottingham, however, what convinced me that I'd made the right choice were the staff and the range of course on offer. I've spoken to other people who studied languages at different universities, and in comparison I had by far the best experiences at Nottingham. The passion of the staff and the quality of the teaching were incredible, and I still remember staff members by name to this day.

Something that also set Nottingham apart was the year abroad structure. It was also incredibly flexible, and really encouraged us to spread our wings and really live in the countries we were visiting. I enjoyed my time in Austria so much that in 2020 I moved back, and I still live here now. When I was applying for the British Council Teaching position before graduating, the German department did everything they could to support my application, including reading through my personal statement and setting time aside to interview me so they could write the best reference possible. I now teach English in a school in Vienna, and am studying to become a French teacher as well. Without my degree from MLC at Nottingham, none of this would have been possible. My time at Nottingham not only gave me a brilliant education, it also gave me the confidence to move abroad, and I will be forever grateful for that. It would be incredibly sad and a great shame for other students not to have this opportunity.

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The breadth of opportunity you are missing out on by cutting MFL - my story

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The breadth of opportunity you are missing out on by cutting MFL - my story

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When people talk about modern languages, they often talk about employability statistics, student numbers, budgets, and departmental restructuring. But for me, modern languages was never just a university subject. It was the reason I was able to build a life beyond the boundaries of my own.

When I arrived at the University of Nottingham, I knew I would spend a year abroad in France. At the time, I saw it as an exciting opportunity to improve my French. I had no idea that it would become one of the most transformative years of my life.

Moving to Avignon was intimidating. For the first time, I was completely immersed in another culture. Every lecture, every conversation, every interaction in a supermarket, café, or sports hall required me to step outside of my comfort zone. It would have been easy to stay within an English-speaking bubble. Instead, my language degree gave me the confidence to embrace uncertainty and become part of a community that would eventually feel like family.

One of the most important parts of that family was the volleyball team I joined in France. Sport has always been a huge part of my life, but playing volleyball in another country was something entirely different. Language allowed me to connect with teammates not as a visitor, but as a friend. We trained together, travelled together, celebrated victories together, and supported one another through difficult moments. The conversations in changing rooms, on long journeys to away games, and over post-match meals were never just about volleyball. They were about life, culture, ambitions, and belonging.

Then everything changed.

Shortly after joining my new club, I suffered a devastating ACL and meniscus injury. One moment I was building a new life abroad; the next, I was facing surgery, rehabilitation, and uncertainty about whether I would ever return to the sport I loved at the same level.

It would have been easy for that injury to define my year abroad.

Instead, what I remember most is the people.

I remember teammates checking in on me. Friends helping me navigate one of the most difficult periods of my life. Conversations in French that reminded me I wasn't alone. The language I had spent years studying stopped being something academic and became something deeply human. It allowed me to maintain friendships, ask for help, share frustrations, and remain connected to the community I had built.

My year abroad taught me that language is not just vocabulary and grammar. It is access to people.

It is the ability to create friendships that would otherwise never exist.

It is the ability to feel at home in places that once felt foreign.

It is the ability to understand perspectives different from your own.

Even today, years later, those relationships remain part of my life. During my year abroad I met someone who is now the French ambassador for my clothing brand. What began as a friendship formed through shared experiences in France has grown into a professional relationship that helps us reach customers and communities we would never otherwise have access to. That opportunity exists because of language.

The impact of modern languages did not end when I left university.

The confidence, communication skills, and cultural understanding I developed through my degree have directly influenced my professional life. They helped me secure opportunities that required working with people from different countries and backgrounds. They allowed me to live and work internationally. They enabled me to build relationships across borders and understand people in a way that goes far beyond translation.

When employers speak about wanting graduates who are adaptable, resilient, culturally aware, and strong communicators, they are often describing the exact skills a modern languages degree develops.

My own journey is evidence of that.

A language degree gave me the confidence to move abroad alone.

It helped me build lifelong friendships.

It supported me through one of the most challenging periods of my life following my ACL injury.

It connected me with opportunities that continue to shape my career today.

Most importantly, it showed me that the world is far bigger than the place where I grew up.

If universities lose modern languages, they do not simply lose a course.

They lose thousands of opportunities for students to discover new versions of themselves.

They lose future teachers, diplomats, entrepreneurs, translators, journalists, and internationally-minded professionals.

They lose the chance to create graduates who can bridge cultures at a time when understanding one another has never been more important.

I arrived in France hoping to improve my French.

I left with lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, a transformed perspective on the world, and experiences that continue to influence my life every day.

That is the value of modern languages.

And that is why it deserves to remain part of the University of Nottingham's future.

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Studying languages at UON has shaped my entire world view - my course was more than just a language degree, rather it gave me a real respect for other cultures and a fascination for learning about the world around me. Without my degree, I may never have developed my language skills and therefore my cultural awareness, and because of my experiences studying languages, I have felt confident enough to travel to parts of the world that I may never have considered without my languages. It’s so, so important that we maintain language study - removing it from the university curriculum sets us up to create a much more insular society, with no consideration for or interest in other cultures. These are courses that have genuine cultural impact, and they should be protected!

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I graduated from my BA in Modern Foreign Languages (German and Spanish) with Business at Nottingham in 2023.

I chose to attend Nottingham because, at the time, the university offered an excellent selection of language courses and study/work abroad opportunities. When I spoke with faculty staff on the Nottingham open day, I came away with a genuine sense that they were passionate about their subject and cared for their students, which ultimately solidified my decision to apply to Nottingham.

In my four years at Nottingham, I was part of cohort that faced online teaching due to COVID and repeated industrial action, but despite these challenges I never doubted the care and professionalism of Nottingham's languages faculty that had been evident to me from day one. Alongside improving my Spanish and German language skills, I was educated in history, politics and literature, which immeasurably broadened my world view. I was fortunate to do a year abroad, where I worked in Frankfurt for 6 months and studied in Zaragoza for a term.

After leaving Nottingham, I volunteered in NGOs in South America for 6 months. I was inspired to do this by the fascinating teaching I received at Nottingham on South American politics and culture and obviously the fact that I spoke Spanish made this a much more possible and safe experience. After this, I completed a MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge, examining right-wing political movements in Ecuador and I now work for a business ethics consultancy in London as a human rights analyst. Beside the fact that my employer specifically recruits individuals that speak additional languages, my career is directly a result of the experiences I obtained during my languages degree and the opportunities it facilitated for me after graduation.

Having studied three different subjects at undergraduate level and a masters at a different university, I frequently tell people the impression that the specific model of the language learning at Nottingham had on me. I benefitted immeasurably from sitting in smaller classrooms, having seminar discussions and forming working relationships with my lecturers, as opposed to being one student in a lecture hall of hundreds like some of Nottingham's more 'profitable' courses.

I used to feel proud to be a alumna of Nottingham but I feel utterly ashamed to see how poorly the languages faculty are currently being treated. It is laughable that Nottingham refers to itself as a global university and yet places so little value on its language courses.

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When I think about some of the experiences that have shaped me most, they almost all trace back to studying Modern Languages at Nottingham.

The teaching was exceptional. My lecturers didn't just teach languages; they brought cultures, history and different perspectives to life, inspiring me to be curious about the world beyond my own experiences.

The opportunities the degree gave me were incredible. Spending my year abroad between Barcelona and the University of Havana in Cuba was genuinely life-changing. Living in different countries, navigating unfamiliar situations and building friendships across cultures gave me a confidence and independence that I don't think I would have developed in the same way otherwise.

Those experiences continue to influence my life today. They sparked a love of travel, gave me lifelong memories, and opened up career opportunities that I might never have considered. I now work in the language services industry, managing multilingual projects for global clients, and I still draw on the communication skills, cultural awareness and adaptability that I developed during my degree.

Looking back, Modern Languages gave me far more than language skills. It changed how I see the world, gave me experiences I'll never forget, and helped shape the person I am today. For that, I'll always be grateful.

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Without a BA Modern Languages with Business , I never would have had the opportunity to complete a year abroad. Spending a semester in Havana, Cuba changed the trajectory of my future career path. The ability to speak Spanish and French, has opened many doors for me. Including a MSc at University College London, and now going on to work within the Humanitarian sector whereby speaking one of the UN languages is a requirement. Many of my friends from my degree have gone on to work for the Civil Service, NGOs, Teachers, all careers that require a high level of empathy, cultural understanding and ability to bridge divides in an ever polarised landscape. University of Nottingham was one of my top choices , renowned for being a global university and well known for languages, it would be a discredit to the student body and lecturers to remove this department entirely.

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Modern Languages with Business Graduate 2020-2024

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When I look back at the experiences that have shaped my life and career, the highlights often link back to my languages degree at Nottingham.

I had unique opportunities I could not have got almost anywhere else, eg a semester exchange at Havana University (one of only 2 UK universities to offer this), or the chance to study a whole new language (Portuguese) from scratch. For me these have both shaped who I am today. The ability to study 3 languages through the full length of my degree was also very rare (it was not common at other universities if you didn’t want to study French).

I’ll be forever grateful for these opportunities, the passionate staff who encouraged me and how these have both shaped my life. They not only improved my languages, but gave me greater empathy and awareness of other people and cultures.

My first job out of university specifically required candidates to speak 2+ foreign languages. This got me started in strategy consulting and consumer research, which opened doors to other corporate jobs, which have directly led me to my role today (almost 15 years later) where I’m now self employed, happy, fulfilled and helping support businesses to drive growth in SMEs.

The experiences at Nottingham and especially my year abroad shaped me - giving me greater confidence and a lifelong passion for other cultures and languages. Those experiences on my CV started me on my career being able to stand out in a post-2008 crash when grad jobs felt scarce.

In a world where we need to be increasingly connected to other countries to stay relevant, languages and the soft skills they promote are more important than ever, especially as non-English speaking economies become a greater share of the pie.

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When I look back at the experiences that have shaped my life and career, the highlights often link back to my languages degree at Nottingham.

I had unique opportunities I could not have got almost anywhere else, eg a semester exchange at Havana University (one of only 2 UK universities to offer this), or the chance to study a whole new language (Portuguese) from scratch. For me these have both shaped who I am today. The ability to study 3 languages through the full length of my degree was also very rare (it was not common at other universities if you didn’t want to study French).

I’ll be forever grateful for these opportunities, the passionate staff who encouraged me and how these have both shaped my life. They not only improved my languages, but gave me greater empathy and awareness of other people and cultures.

My first job out of university specifically required candidates to speak 2+ foreign languages. This got me started in strategy consulting and consumer research, which opened doors to other corporate jobs, which have directly led me to my role today (almost 15 years later) where I’m now self employed, happy, fulfilled and helping support businesses to drive growth in SMEs.

The experiences at Nottingham and especially my year abroad shaped me - giving me greater confidence and a lifelong passion for other cultures and languages. Those experiences on my CV started me on my career being able to stand out in a post-2008 crash when grad jobs felt scarce.

In a world where we need to be increasingly connected to other countries to stay relevant, languages and the soft skills they promote are more important than ever, especially as non-English speaking economies become a greater share of the pie.

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I studied French & German at the University of Nottingham (class of 2009). I chose Nottingham over other universities as the course offered a far wider range of topics (from literature to linguistics to politics and more) and gave me the opportunity for a broad experience beyond just language learning. This was supported by a set of brilliant lecturers and professors who were incredibly supportive and inspiring. The year abroad, which I spent at European universities, was a particular highlight. The skills I acquired through my degree are broad-ranging and highly transferable, and have given me many career opportunities across a range of sectors. It would be a huge shame to deny this opportunity to future students.

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My life wouldn’t be the same without my modern languages degree. The experience of learning about other cultures, detailed contexts as well as the languages themselves opened my mind and helped prepare me for the world of work. My year abroad gave me independence and experience of a role I never would have considered without it. I may not use my languages everyday now, but my degree set me up for the communication skills I have needed every day throughout my career. I loved studying and growing up and Nottingham and am devastated to see the decisions being considered.

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I don’t think we should close modern languages. I was taking French during my study. That experience is really exciting and I can still remember the words we have learnt. We shouldn’t close it!

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I graduated from Modern Langauges and Translation studies in 2019. Since then, I worked for a global biofuel company who explicitly hire language graduates as they believe we see and view the world differently. I now work for a global law firm, translating proposals for renewable initiatives. A path I never knew possible, but one I would never be on without ML at UoN! I am currently on a 6 month sabbatical, putting my Spanish to good use in South America. I’ve never been prouder to be a languages graduate then I am right now. It’s an indescribable pride.

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I would have never gone to University without MFL at UoN

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I would have never gone to University without MFL at UoN

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Although I started my studies here in 2021, my passion for languages dates back to early childhood, when I began learning the minority languages spoken at my secondary school to connect with others. As I matured, this passion intensified, leading me to study translation at university and immerse myself in every linguistic and cultural opportunity: ab initio French, interfaculty Italian, Mandarin taster sessions, Basque on exchange, and Polish evening classes. For me, a languages degree was more than a subject; it was my only route to higher education. My time at Nottingham was transformative: I learned from inspiring lecturers, joined diverse cultural societies, and became the first in my family to attend university. Without the modern languages department, I would not have discovered my true purpose or gained independence. Continuing my studies here after graduation, I am committed to promoting language learning as essential in an interconnected world. The suspension of all language courses contradicts these core values. It pains me that future students may be denied the life-changing experiences I was privileged to have at the University of Nottingham.

Each member of staff I had the pleasure of meeting showed such great enthusiasm and passion for their subject, helping me to find my own voice in my work and shaping my identity as an adult. It’s evident that without this department, I would have never been able to access higher education, I would have never decided to continue to pursue my passion for languages, I would have never decided to become a secondary languages teacher.

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Plain and simple, I would never have had the amazing opportunity to do a PhD without Nottingham’s languages department. In 2015, as a local Nottingham lass who was living at home with her parents, I could never have afforded to do an MA in another city. The MA scholarship (covering tuition only), and the support of wonderful tutors at Nottingham, led to me getting government funding to do a PhD the following year. Without Nottingham’s languages department, I’m not sure any of this would have been possible for me.

I went to a local comp and was the first person to go to uni in my family. Nottingham languages department gave me educational opportunities that have expanded my horizons, taught me to think critically, and helped me build a thriving career outside of academia.

Languages matter. The arts matter. Critical thinking matters more than ever before.

The question I would put to these decision makers is: what do you want to be remembered for? Do the right thing by your students, future generations of children, and the city of Nottingham.

Save UoN languages.

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I am a graduate of UoN, having obtained a Modern Languages Studies (French, German, Spanish) degree in 2004. I chose Nottingham because of its reputation for languages - it was the only university at the time that allowed me to add a third language after A-Levels - and it lived up to all expectations and more. I am now a Partner in a commercial law firm, having converted my languages degree into a law degree as a post-grad. The skills I gained doing languages have proved invaluable throughout my career. It was about so much more than learning the languages: it improved my own understanding of the English language (the grounding in foreign grammar translated across to English in a way I had never been taught in school); I worked in French and German companies on my year abroad, gaining a deep understanding of different cultures and cultural practices; it developed my analytical skills through translation modules; and it has allowed me to interact with people from across the world and to continue to do so 20 years post graduation. Those skills have proven highly transferable to a career based on using language to communicate and persuade, and notably I work with a number of lawyers who did languages undergraduate degrees who say the same thing about the skills they gained there.

This decision feels very short-sighted and embarrassing for a university that holds itself out as global. I truly hope it can be reconsidered and modern languages allowed to continue and to thrive at UoN.

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Modern Language Studies alumnus - 2000 to 2004

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I started studying French and Spanish at the University of Nottingham in 2020, only a few months into the pandemic. Coming from quite a traditional Indian family, it took a lot to convince my parents to let me study languages, and I am devastated for future students who won’t be quite as lucky as me.

I chose this degree because, above everything, I’m deeply curious about languages and the people who speak them. I wanted to immerse myself in their cultures, politics and arts. Studying at Nottingham fulfilled this and more; I met the most incredible people here, both on campus and during my year abroad. They helped to shape my understanding of the world around me and gave me the confidence to express my passions.

I graduated in 2024 and went on to study a Master’s in Comparative Literature, which wouldn’t have happened had I not studied languages at Nottingham. Without being inspired by the most incredible professors and teachers, as well as the lifelong friends I have made from the course, I wouldn’t have been able to truly follow my intellectual desires and pursuits. Suspending languages and numerous other courses at Nottingham is horrifying, in an era where fascism and anti-intellectualism are on the rise; cutting funding to the arts is disturbing. Shame on the university for depriving future students of the opportunity to deepen their understanding of languages and cultures.

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I graduated from UoN in 2019 with a BA in French and Politics, with a distinction in spoken French. Without my language skills, I would have struggled to find work during the pandemic years. I have since worked in three French speaking jobs, mainly in the finance sector. I later pursued a Masters in Sustainable and and am now studying for a PhD. Without the cultural understanding that living/studying abroad brings, without the methodological approach to learning that French grammar offers and without the wider world view that studies on Western Francophone Africa and French Surrealism reflect upon, I simply would not be the researcher I am today. Learning another language opens up so many doors and gives you a different lens through which to see the world. To remove language learning is to succumb to a neo-colonial, neo-liberal discourse and to stifle understanding and problem solving.

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I completed a degree in French Studies 2005-2009 and this also included a year studying Italian as one of my elective subjects. The course wasn’t just learning how to speak French… it was broadening my global understanding and appreciation of economics, politics, literature, film, history and everything in between. I am grateful for the year I spent living in France which is one of the best years of my life to date where I really grew in confidence and was then more or less fluent - being able to dream in French. Without a doubt, the experiences I had and everything I learnt whilst undertaking my degree shaped the career successes I’ve had and I’ve also passed on an interest in language and culture now to my own children. It saddens me that others now may not get an opportunity like this at Nottingham University.

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Languages are the doorway to becoming global

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Languages are the doorway to becoming global

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As a MLS graduate who chose to study at UoN precisely because of its broad range of language courses and diverse modules, I am heartbroken at the prospect of these courses being suspended.

Continuing my studies in French and Spanish, and picking up an additional language in German, in higher education granted me the privilege of understanding and learning so many different cultures.

That knowledge has helped me progress in my career in localization by granting me the skills to learn how to engage with not only the languages I learned but also more diverse and complex languages, such as Hindi and Korean, which are becoming more and more prominent on global platforms in the digital age.

Teaching foreign languages is vital for a largely monolingual island that is fighting isolationalism and homogenisation in the workforce day by day.

How can any individual/business/institution attribute themselves as being global without including languages?

Language courses at Nottingham are about more than just learning words that aren't English. They're about learning how to communicate with different people whose perspectives may differ from yours, how to use navigate a world that is becoming more and more accessible, and also you giving you the means to interact with people without always relying on technology (which is often incorrect) to do it for you.

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If it wasn't for my language degree from the University of Nottingham, I wouldn't be where I am today, two years on - in an exciting, creative career, only made possible to me because of my language skills.

I now work in PR, which is an expanding industry actively seeking native speakers and language graduates alike. In a globalised media landscape, language skills are critical for media relationships and the powerful cross-cultural and regionalised stories we work with every day.

And looking back four years ago, my year abroad was one of the most pivotal times of my life. It challenged my confidence, people skills, courage... I met life-long friends, explored, and unleashed a global perspective that I've carried with me in every decision since.

I don't just feel deeply saddened that future generations might not have the same access to *language learning* at UoN, but that they won't have the same access to the life-changing opportunities that learning a language brings.

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The languages degree I completed at the University of Nottingham made me the person I am today! Yes, I learnt the languages and the cultures that come with them, but it brought me out of my shell and made me travel and live in other countries and meet people that I still consider as friends to this day! All the teaching staff at the University were all a massive part of this, so I see this as a great loss to the University and to potential future students that would like to study in Nottingham.

I cannot look at the alumni newsletters or any announcements from the University without being saddened and disappointed, whereas I used to look on the University still very fondly.

I really hope they come to their senses and change their minds and keep all the wonderful staff and make this experience possible for future generations.

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My degree in Spanish and Chinese Studies at Nottingham didn't just teach me languages. It fundamentally changed what I was capable of.

Studying abroad in Seville and Taiwan weren't extras on top of the degree. They were the degree. They forced me to think in other frameworks, communicate across cultural gaps, and operate with confidence in unfamiliar environments. Skills that no classroom-only education could have given me.

I now work in international brand marketing, where I work in an international team managing campaigns across four European markets. The cross-cultural instinct I built at Nottingham, through the languages, the literature, the year abroad, is something I use every single day. It's not a soft skill. It's a professional edge.

Modern Languages at Nottingham produced graduates who go on to work globally, think globally, and represent the university's international identity in ways that league tables can't measure. Cutting it would be a decision the university would feel for decades.

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The most obvious argument sums up the absurdity of UoN's decision to cut its languages department : how you can possibly call yourself "the international university" without teaching languages? Without MLC teaching at Nottingham, I wouldn't have spent three amazing years in the Trent building plus a fourth abroad as part of my studies (BA Hispanic Studies and History), in what I can only describe as a life-changing experience. I honestly don't know where I would be without this degree as it helped develop not only my language skills but considerably helped my personal growth. The modules offered were always engaging and the teaching of the highest quality. I'm sure any of the friends I made along the way would agree as we grew quite attached to the teaching staff, especially in the SPLAS department. So much so that a group was even present at a memorial service for one of our lecturers back in 2022.

I can only hope that the university can reconsider this shortsighted decision. It would devastating to deny any prospective student the opportunities that were presented to me during my time at UoN.

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Despite studying economics, I had the opportunity to use extra optional credits to learn both Arabic and Italian which were definitely one of the learning highlights during my course. I also know many course mates and other friends who did language modules as optional credits or outside of their degree course. This wouldn't have happened without the Language department who I'm sure have supported many past and present students belonging to courses in and out of the department.

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I'm an alumna of MLC at The University of Nottingham - I came here for my MA in French by Research. Coming to Nottingham gave me the chance to study with the top expert in my field in the vibrant Department of French and Francophone Studies (as it was then known). It gave me a leg-up in my teaching career, helping me get a job lecturing in Paris for two years after my MA. While here, I also learned another language. And I made lifelong friends. And I married one of them.

I can't imagine how my life would have turned out had I not come here.

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I am a graduate of Economics with Hispanic Studies (Spanish and Portuguese Language). My language studies during my time at Nottingham were essential to my professional development, allowing me to spend a year working in the British Embassy in Colombia. Furthermore, these capabilities were cited as one of the main factors that set me apart from other candidates in securing my current role, given the shortage of language skills among the graduates of today. As an economist at the UK’s largest airline, I see every day how language capability underpins our economic competitiveness, connectivity and global reach. Our ability as a country to build partnerships, understand markets, and engage effectively across borders depends heavily on young professionals with foreign-language skills.

The closure of one of the UK’s largest Modern Languages departments sends a troubling signal at a time when we already face a chronic shortage of linguists. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages has repeatedly warned that this deficit harms our trade, diplomacy, and soft power. Furthermore, as a self-proclaimed ‘global university’, Nottingham has an institutional obligation to uphold opportunities for language learning and cultural immersion.

While I appreciate the financial pressures facing higher education, this decision risks narrowing the UK’s talent pipeline and diminishing our long-term global competitiveness. Language education is not merely an academic pursuit; it is a strategic investment in our nation’s economic resilience and international influence. Moreover, many students choose the University of Nottingham specifically for its Joint Honours Language Programmes. Single-subject courses in English, Economics, Business, Media and more cannot (and will not) act as substitutes for these combined course options. Personally, the opportunity to study two languages alongside Economics was the primary reason I chose to attend UoN. As a result, prospective students will turn elsewhere, impacting both the size and the cultural richness of the future UoN student population.

I would urge the University to reconsider this course, or at least explore alternative models that sustain language provision, such as through NAA Modules or joint degree options through the Language Centre. I further implore the University to fully support the incredible teaching staff impacted by this short-sighted decision; they always have and always will deserve better!

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Languages increase cultural sensitivity and awareness

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Languages increase cultural sensitivity and awareness

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As an undergraduate I studied languages and by understanding languages relating to different cultures I increased my understanding and awareness of different cultures. More than that it led to a life where languages have enabled me to access an understanding at a deeper level that has been beneficial in public sector work, including the areas of criminal justice and social justice campaigns.

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Languages improve self confidence and enable exposure to other cultures

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Languages improve self confidence and enable exposure to other cultures

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I chose to study languages at Nottingham because it had a very good reputation for the subject, and it was one of the only universities that offered a translation-related BA. The year abroad offered was an incredible opportunity to grow in independence and confidence, qualities that have since served me well and that I wouldn't habe without that opportunity. It also gave me the chance to spend year abroad, which exposed me to other cultures.

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Languages are a gateway to connect with Europe - and vice versa

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Languages are a gateway to connect with Europe - and vice versa

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I have lived and worked in Nottingham for almost 10 years after first coming here as an Erasmus student in 2016. While studying German Philology at the University of Vienna, I was able to spend one year at Nottingham taking modules in German Studies (yes, my native language, but MLC courses are not just about learning the language!), History, and Education. This period of time was transformative and lay the foundation for my relocation to the UK after finishing my degree. I would not have been able to study as an exchange student at Nottingham if the equivalent of my course had not existed here. And I would not have moved here eventually, where I now teach on this very course. But I'm not "only" a member of staff, I have my life here which is intertwined with the city and people, and means day-to-day cultural exchange that enhances my own life and that of the people around me. Closing all MLC courses would have a devastating impact on a number of issues, one of them being the erasure of the opportunity for European (and beyond!) students of Language Philology to part take in an exchange at Nottingham. Not all of them may end up moving here like I did, but our students and communities in the UK and on the European continent benefit massively from these exchanges. Without them the UK will get ever more isolated from Europe - culturally, intellectually, and politically.

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I am deeply saddened by the recent announcement to suspend all language degrees at the University of Nottingham. Initially, I chose Nottingham as it was one of the only universities in the country to offer Spanish and International Media and Communications. I wanted to combine my love for Spanish with another subject that had an international focus. From the first few weeks of my studies, I knew that within languages I had found a place that I belonged. I think I speak on behalf of my fellow students when I say that the community that is built within languages is unique to any other course. This is all down to the welcoming environment that the lecturers throughout the department foster in each of their lessons, who know their students by name and treat us as individuals. We must remember that many of the teaching staff have moved from their home countries to teach at Nottingham, and we as students are privileged to be taught by them. This should never be forgotten.

The opportunity that studying Spanish at Nottingham provided me with to work in Huelva, Spain and travel Argentina has carved the path for the rest of my life. I have created bonds with Spanish speaking people across the world, something that I would never have had the confidence or skill to do without the support of the teaching staff and languages community. By removing languages degrees from the university, we are erasing whole communities, completely disregarding the importance of culture, literature, art and film on a global scale, and the transferable skills that are fostered within these degrees.

The Language Centre also played a fundamental role in my time at Nottingham, giving me the opportunity to study Italian alongside my degree. Opportunities that the Language Centre provide should be protected at all costs, as well as the skilled, dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to provide language learning for all.

It’s hard to believe that a course which has given me so much is going to be taken away from future students. When doors are constantly being closed to the rest of the world, we need to do everything we can to open them back up. With decisions like this one, the UK will become a linguistic desert, lacking all ability to communicate with the rest of the world in other languages. I am proud to be a languages graduate from the University of Nottingham and will do everything in my power to protect the community that I have so much to thank for.

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Removing the choice to study languages is a mistake

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Removing the choice to study languages is a mistake

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The University of Nottingham is known for being international, with campuses in China and Malaysia and countless research projects with researchers from all over the world while also attracting so many international students to study here. The opportunity to study languages opens up so many more possibilities and allows students to discover new cultures and ways of communicating that align with the University of Nottingham’s global image. Removing languages looks like the university doesn’t care about other cultures and doesn’t want students to care either. It’s a big mistake removing the courses and it’ll cost more in reputation and global relationships than the money it is meant to save.

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I am an alumna of this university and now I have the privilege of teaching here. The wonderful students I teach deserve to know that the subject they have chosen to study - the subject that I personally sold to them at Open Days, the subject their teachers at school inspired them to explore, the subject that many of them simply love and enjoy because it is fun and it's what lights them up - is important and worth defending, despite anything to the contrary that they may have been told by university management. I have met so many brilliant students who would one day love to do the work that I do. For their sake, I want jobs like mine to continue to exist. Our work is important. Thank you for reading this and for supporting our campaign.

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I graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Modern Languages in Business, and I owe everything to my degree. Unlike many of my peers on other courses, I walked straight into a job from university, entirely thanks to my incredible lecturers, tutors and peers. The Modern Languages department is the most supportive and encouraging department that allowed me to not only prepare for the working world, but push myself to learn skills I never thought possible.

The loss of Modern Languages would be a devastating blow to the University of Nottingham. It not only undermines the university’s international identity and reputation, but also closes the door on future generations of students eager to engage with the world through language and culture. At a time when the world is becoming increasingly divided, the answer cannot be to reduce opportunities for international understanding. Languages build bridges between people, and the consideration to cut this is frankly an embarrassment from the University.

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Keep modern foreign languages at Nottingham 

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Keep modern foreign languages at Nottingham 

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There are fewer and fewer universities offering languages. There are very few top universities whose campus is wheelchair accessible. The language offering was the reason my disabled daughter chose Nottingham ( instead of Oxford!) Languages are a core subject vital to modern businesses trading with the non UK markets and should be nurtured not closed. Through attending Nottingham ( and KU Leuven and Marburg on her year abroad) my daughter has been able to study well and safely and has achieved so much , including attaining her PhD. Refresh and reshape the courses if the current ones are failing to attract students but to ditch them in totality would be very short sighted. The staff and support services have been absolutely brilliant...please give them a chance to shine again

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A Blow to Social Mobility in the East Midlands

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A Blow to Social Mobility in the East Midlands

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Notts is fantastic right?

The people. The music scene. The university and its beautiful campus.

It's obvious why so many people choose to move and study here.

Yet for many young people growing up locally, it isn’t just a great option - it’s the only option.

For financial, cultural or medical reasons, leaving home for university isn’t always possible. This is when access to local provision is crucial.

The proposed closure of Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham will mean removing the last route into university-level language study in the East Midlands.

It will shut out talented young linguists who simply don’t have the ability to relocate.

It will limit countless futures.

It will mark the decline of Nottingham and the region as a whole.

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I cannot fathom a world in which we don't consider the value of a languages degree. We don't live in isolation and it sends a signal to be fundamentally disinterested in anyone who is different from us. As someone who has adapted a humanities PhD into a business in which I help university leaders to lead, I can't help but wonder who has made the decision, what information they used, and what or whom was excluded.

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I studied my undergraduate in Modern Languages and Translation at the University of Nottingham. I have since gone on to study an MA in Translation and begin working as a freelance translator and subtitler. Without the languages course at university, none of that would have been possible. During my degree, I went on a year abroad which was the best, most enriching year of my life in which I gained so many skills that I never would have gained had I not had that experience. I came back a completely different person. Experiencing a different culture and way of life is something that everyone should have the opportunity to do once in their life, and removing languages courses from the curriculum is saying that the university doesn’t believe in cultural enrichment or equality. Studying languages allows bridges to be crossed across countries and cultures and allows those who do not speak another language access to not only another culture, but another way of life.

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Nottingham has always been one of the top universities in the country for languages and that is why my daughter chose to study there. It is a huge shame that the closure of such an iconic and successful department is even being considered. The teaching was absolutely excellent and was an inspiration to her to go on and do a masters degree and then a Phd. I hope the university reconsiders because modern languages are still a core staple of the British education system no and an area in which Nottingham University has always been regarded for its excellence.

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As an individual who has studied German at Nottingham all the way to PhD level, this is heartbreaking. Ihave loved studying languages at the university. In my undergraduate days, I enjoyed many an evening at the language centre, finding opportunities to use my language skills and even learn new ones. I chose Nottingham because of the languages department and the passion that the lecturers had for their subjects. Additionally, their expertise and general kindness are a credit to the university which should not be lost.

Beyond that, we have been a home for international students, and the languages department plays a big part in making them feel at home/ allowing cultural exchange to happen. If we lose that, we lose something special, which, as many others have said, is needed In today's political climate.

Personally, this is also devastating as I had hoped to work alongside those who had taught me one day, and pass on my knowledge of German and Dutch to future generations of students. If the languages department closes, that will never happen, and it makes me sad to think that there may never be languages taught at Nottingham again.

I implore the university to reconsider this proposal.

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alumna of the University of Nottingham and current staff member within Disability Support

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Devastating to hear of any language department threatening to close. As a language graduate and advocate, I have benefited greatly from a language degree. It has led me down a successful career path and given me the opportunity to travel and connect with people all over the world.

Language learning is at the centre of cultural understanding, which is something that has been severely threatened in the UK in recent years with the situation only deteriorating. Update the prospectus, introduce new tools and modernise the teaching of foreign languages - do not remove the opportunity!! This is such a shortsighted approach which will have sad consequences.

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Languages make a fantastic undergraduate degree - introducing you to history, literature, politics, sociology, and culture, let alone the language component. Studying languages let's you see the world from different perspectives - something we need more than ever as people and politics are withdrawing from international collaboration. Trends come and go and obviously there is not a lot of demand at present for the MFL courses as they are today - surely the answer is thus to reform them rather than do away with them completely? Trends come and go but if the department is closed completely it will be impossible to rebuild.

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Soy lingüista en España. Hablar es lo que somos. Saber cómo hablamos es saber cómo somos. No creo que se necesite más para justificar el estudio de las lenguas que hablamos. Las universidades son los lugares donde se deben preservar y ampliar los saberes. No cumplen su función si marginan a saberes por razones de cualquier tipo.

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Soy lingüista en España. Hablar es lo que somos. Saber cómo hablamos es saber cómo somos. No creo que se necesite más para justificar el estudio de las lenguas que hablamos. Las universidades son los lugares donde se deben preservar y ampliar los saberes. No cumplen su función si marginan a saberes por razones de cualquier tipo.

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This is a very distressing decision which I hope can still be reversed. I know that Nottingham University has a very strong track record of modern language teaching especially for Russian. My late mother who taught Russian at the Perse School for Girls in Cambridge every year took her pupils to Nottingham University's annual languages open day, which she and they found most impressive.

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From the Great Britain-Russia organisation

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This is a benighted decision, indicating contempt for the idea of communicating with people who do not speak English. If the University of Nottingham persists in this, it loses its status as a reputable university. It become just a mediocre outpost of Little England. Not too late to reverse, but time for those responsible to recognise their responsibilities for enlightened education.  

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This is a benighted decision, indicating contempt for the idea of communicating with people who do not speak English. If the University of Nottingham persists in this, it loses its status as a reputable university. It become just a mediocre outpost of Little England. Not too late to reverse, but time for those responsible to recognise their responsibilities for enlightened education.  

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My teacher of Slovene at UCL once taught languages at Nottingham.  

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I taught at the University of Nottingham as a French 'lectrice' many years ago and I was impressed by the quality of the experience offered to students. Those students then went on to work in many different fields: some of them directly connected to foreign languages, but also many others where the general skills provided by a language course were valued. I can understand how a small, local higher education institution might not be able to offer that, but to think that a major university such as the University of Nottingham will no longer do so seems incredibly depressing and deeply worrying for the future of the University.

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Please, let Modern Languages courses at University of Nottingham alive!!!

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Please, let Modern Languages courses at University of Nottingham alive!!!

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I am a Brazilian Associate Professor - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Recently, I have collaborated with excellent researchers at the Modern Languages Department, during a posdoctoral experience. It is essential that this patternship between University of Nottingham and other universities all around the world survives... Many scientific results can impact the social lives of students from various areas of knowledge in England and in several countries.

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I am an academic and have worked with colleagues from NOttingham

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Statement by The Great Britain-Russia Society on the decision by Nottingham University to suspend applications to all language degree programmes, with a view to permanent closure of all of its undergraduate languages degrees.

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Statement by The Great Britain-Russia Society on the decision by Nottingham University to suspend applications to all language degree programmes, with a view to permanent closure of all of its undergraduate languages degrees.

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The Trustees of the Great Britain-Russia Society (GBRS) deplore the reported decision of Nottingham University to suspend applications to all its language degree programmes, with a view to permanent closure of its undergraduate language degrees courses.

In the view of GBRS Trustees, modern languages skills are vital to the UK’s economy, its society and national security, to its citizens’ personal development and appreciation of other countries and people, to the success of interrelated academic disciplines such as History, Geography, Law and Philosophy, and to preserving the global reputation of our leading universities.

In a time of polarisation of viewpoints and simplistic solutions for complex issues it is more than ever important to understand others’ capabilities, cultures and perspectives in an informed and open-minded way. The development of such understanding, to which GBRS seeks to contribute – see https://www.gbrussia.org/, depends on languages and, in the case of Russia, Russian and Russians, has never been more in the vital interests of the UK.

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Henry Pares, 
Hon Secretary
on behalf of 
The Trustees of the Great Britain-Russia Society

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I am deeply concerned at the threatened closure of Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham. 

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I am deeply concerned at the threatened closure of Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham. 

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I am Head of a thriving School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at University College Cork, where we teach 8 major languages to degree level (Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese) as well as minority languages, such as Galician and Catalan. We recruit students across a range of degree programmes, such as the BA International and BA World Languages, and also deliver courses for the BSc International Business with Languages programme, among others. We are ranked among the top 200 for Modern Languages worldwide and our institution is proud of our strong global track record and our ability to produce highly competent language graduates who are comfortable working between cultures and across international networks. It is extremely short-sighted of Nottingham to remove languages from what is meant to be a ‘universal’ institution: that is, a University. Expecting graduates to succeed within and beyond the UK as monolinguals is to impoverish their prospects and reflects the insularity of a post-Brexit Britain. English is not the only language through which business is conducted: in fact, in terms of the most widely spoken language worldwide, it is behind Chinese and Spanish. To deny students the opportunity to study languages to degree level and to become intercultural mediators precludes them of contact with international networks and of global career opportunities. Such a proposal equates to denying Britain’s multi-ethnic heritage, where students will be deprived of the chance to study the languages and cultures of the countries that have contributed to the UK’s multicultural society. It denies them the opportunity of interacting with the panoply of languages and cultures that characterize not only Europe, but the whole globe. How can the University of Nottingham call itself ‘global’ and ‘beyond ordinary’ if it decides to restrict language learning? Such a move is, frankly, paradoxical at best, cynical and narrowminded at worst.

I very much hope the University will reconsider its plans for the winding down of what is a most highly regarded Department of Modern Languages. Languages at Nottingham not only teaches several hundred students, but is also home to colleagues with a strong international track record in research and an excellent global reputation. My colleagues and I at University College Cork are profoundly concerned at the prospect of closure of languages at Nottingham. Staff and students have our deepest solidarity in the face of these misguided cuts.

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There is no communication without language knowledge

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There is no communication without language knowledge

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I was shocked at this news and can't belive it is true. I had a pleasure to teach my language (Slovene) at the University of Nottingham in the Slavic Studies section from 2005 to 2010. I had an opportunity to work with wonderful, intelligent, capable, knowledgeable, fun, interesting students and colleagues. It was one of the best professional experience that I had. We are learning languages for communication, the most basic of human needs and activities - how will people do that without knowlede of foreign languags in this global world is beyond my comprehension. Please do find another solution for saving money! Cutting languages is not the right one!

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Да здравствует изучение инностранных языков в Нотингоме!!

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Да здравствует изучение инностранных языков в Нотингоме!!

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As a Russian and Soviet Studies graduate from Surrey, 1985, now more than ever we need linguists and people who understand other cultures and perspectives to build bridges and understand this crazy world. Nottingham has an excellent reputation in this field which would be sad and very regrettable to see end.

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Connecting dots through language learning

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Connecting dots through language learning

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A famous tech entrepreneur once said on life that 'you can't connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards'. When I look backwards, I can see that my dots started with language learning. Not at UoN but in my 1st year of French at secondary school in 1986 with Mr Eric Pratt (or Monsieur Pratt as he liked to be called). He was an 'old school' teacher who had the class stand up to 'Levez-vous' whenever a colleague entered the classroom and then sit down to 'Asseyez-vous' as and when he decided to tell us to do so. I enjoyed his lessons greatly, I loved the sounds and spellings of French, I was fascinated learning about La Rochelle in the Tricolore text book. I came from a large industrial town in West Yorkshire and I had only ever had holidays in the UK - the thought of experiencing other cultures and connecting with other people overseas seemed so distant yet suddenly so possible. Mr Pratt was loved by all his students, even the more challenging boys he kept in line with a hard stare or the occasional growl of disapproval. As a teacher who had experienced/suffered many reforms under the Tory government, it was Mr Pratt who wheeled in the TV to a lesson in 1990 so we could watch the departure of Margaret Thatcher. I remember he was quite gleeful. When I left secondary school, I went on to study A levels in French and German at sixth form college, and then to the University of Nottingham to study Modern Language Studies. I was adamant that I would continue with my 'old' languages but was also keen to try something new. At that time, UoN was the only institution that would enable a 3-language combination. I could choose between Russian and Spanish - ultimately, I went for the language spoken in warmer climes (it really was that simple). It was hard work combining three languages - trying to be as linguistically competent as the Single Honours students was impossible. However, taking up Spanish expanded my horizons even further - to Mexico in fact, on my year abroad, somewhere I would never have imagined living and studying when I was back in my Year 7 French lesson. Since UoN, I have worked with pre-service language teachers on a EU mobility programme at the British Council, qualified as a MFL teacher, worked as a Spanish teacher and head of subject, taught overseas (and learnt a fourth language) and then returned to UoN to do a PhD at the School of Education. I am now based in Denmark where I have been working as an educational researcher (and learnt my fifth language). Most recently, I have been a consultant on the forthcoming EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda. This opportunity would not have been possible without a language education. The capacity to speak another language, communicate with other people in their own words, engage with non-Anglophone research, understand and appreciate the cultural nuances of students', parents' and teachers' experiences of education systems across Europe cannot be underestimated. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to see worlds outside my own. As a language teacher, who saw the detrimental effect of government education reforms on student take-up at GCSE and beyond, I am horrified and dismayed that the modern languages courses of UoN are now also under attack from above. Universities should be at the forefront of the intellectual revolution to put modern languages back at the centre of the curriculum. The children and young people of the UK have already had their worlds narrowed by Brexit, their opportunities for study and work overseas limited. I am appalled that UoN would consider modern language study, and its cultural, historical, political and social dimensions, as unimportant given the geopolitical, humanitarian and cultural crises we now face globally. There has never been a more appropriate time to encourage greater communication and connection between people. I am so lucky to have studied at UoN when I did. I hope that others will get the chance in the future.

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I was appalled by the news, and the brutality of the measures. I believe I can speak here for my research team in France (at Université Paris Cité & Sorbonne Nouvelle), who, with the years, has built connections and friendships with several members of the faculty members. Closing the language department is certainly very bad for students and our British colleagues but it would also be detrimental to these French-British exchanges. 

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I was appalled by the news, and the brutality of the measures. I believe I can speak here for my research team in France (at Université Paris Cité & Sorbonne Nouvelle), who, with the years, has built connections and friendships with several members of the faculty members. Closing the language department is certainly very bad for students and our British colleagues but it would also be detrimental to these French-British exchanges. 

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The study of Modern Languages and Cultures is a crucial element of any comprehensive university and especially one which presents itself as a global university as Nottingham does, with for example its strong links with China at Ningbo. Without the expertise of its staff and students, the University becomes inward looking and the symbolism of a ‘little England university’ without the study of languages and cultures contributes to the nationalism which is again rampant.

The study of Languages and Cultures is more than useful and more than an acquisition of skills. It creates graduates who can themselves pass on their vision of the world as teachers but it also creates graduates with such a vision who take up many other professions - as we know they do – and ensure that those professions are internationalist in outlook.

The staff at Nottingham are, furthermore, of outstanding quality and leaders in the field. They become so by vary hard work and devotion to their profession and the University. They deserve better treatment.

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Long-standing colleague from another university

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In today's ever-more connected world, it is difficult to over-state the importance of language learning for all forms of communication, inter-cultural understanding, media literacy, and future opportunities for Nottingham's students and alumni. As a former Teaching Affiliate in Russian and Slavonic Studies in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures (2018-2019) I have seen first-hand how learning modern languages expands students’ mental horizons and opens doors to future employability.

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I studied for a BA in French and Philosophy at the University of Nottingham in 2018 and graduated in 2022. My degree has had such a transformative effect on my life from the course friends that I made that are still in my life now, to what I am doing for work currently. My internship or ‘stage’ near Biarritz in my third year of university gave me so many transferrable skills that I referenced in my first job interview after university and helped me to land my first role in the Civil Service. The French language modules 1,2 and 3 really honed my grasp of French and thanks to my degree, I am so lucky to state that I get to use French in my current job as well. Additionally, I was able to reference the ‘Communicating and Teaching Languages for Undergraduate Ambassadors’ role when I applied to be a British Council English Language Assistant in Spain after my degree, which also in turn helped me to land my first graduate role.

The plan to cut MFL degrees really saddens me as I am concerned that future generations of students won’t have access to exploring other cultures through learning languages and experience the huge array of personal benefits that that brings to oneself not just the professional benefits. Just an add on as well- the first year French module ‘Introduction to French Literature: Representations of Paris’ was my favourite module throughout my entire degree! I loved the Parisian texts that we read. The languages, cultures and area studies staff all do a tremendous job!!

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I read about the developments on the BBC and simply could not believe that language courses at the University of Nottingham are to be axed!

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I read about the developments on the BBC and simply could not believe that language courses at the University of Nottingham are to be axed!

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Apart from the dreadful loss of staff expertise and resources, the move is set to deprive future generations of “windows to the world”.

Stopping language degrees means that in future there will be an awful lack of language teachers in England.

Having grown up in a more or less monolingual family, as so many others, I owe my life in languages to my knowledgeable and inspiring school teachers, who encouraged me to carry on and study languages at university. I took my degree in French and German at the University of Southampton in the early 70’s and together with many other first-generation undergraduate peers marveled at the learning opportunities made available to us. It was not only about learning how to think across linguistic systems but also about the wonderful experience of reading texts from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century in the original language and entering into worlds of thought and cultures.

I earned my living teaching languages and, as a classroom teacher, was privileged to experience how learners from Primary to Upper Secondary made first steps in accessing a second language leading to fluency and the ability to converse and write at B2+ level.

After twenty years I moved into initial teacher education and Continuing Professional Development supporting language teachers as they worked on making their language classrooms better places with the best possible learning opportunities. Over the past ten years I have had the joyful experience of getting to know how language teachers all over Europe work so hard to give their learners not only life skills in second languages but also a cultural experience. In the language classroom learners gain the ability to survive and function in a dynamic world.

Is this bid to deprive so many young people of learning really serious? Is it ethical?

As a pensioner my volunteer work is helping refugees learn the language of their host country, i.e. German. It is heartbreaking to see how these women, who were never allowed to learn a second language in their home country, struggle so hard to acquire basic skills, let alone B1 level to allow them to acquire permanent status of abode. Having never had access to a second language, their understanding of their own language is limited, which means they are unable to use translation tools effectively. Refugees coming from countries where learning other languages is permitted are at an advantage and are less likely to fall through the net.

Is Britain really aiming to become a monolingual country? Or should only the rich and powerful be allowed to enter a multicultural world? It reminds one of those old WWII films where only the toffs/officers were able to ask for a crust of bread as they ran for their lives across France.

Being displaced could happen to anyone. Whatever would the monolingual Englishman do if, unable to gain right of abode in an English-speaking country, he ended up in a place where you need to learn a new language fast, or be extradited?

Broad-based studies show up that speaking several languages and continuing to learn in advanced years lessens the risks of cognitive decline.

Again: Is stopping language learning at university level ethical - in any way?

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From the news but I also know academics at Nottingham and have, for many years, been aware of  the high level at the language departments in Nottingham.

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I am shocked and appalled that the University of Nottingham would even consider closing its incredibly successful and internationally renowned Languages department under the guise of trying to save money (also known as: covering up its previous financial mistakes).  The University should be incredibly proud to have such a strong department which is well known for its excellent teaching and research and should be doing everything possible to celebrate and preserve the department.  Destroying something that is clearly thriving is completely nonsensical and runs contrary to the university’s own desire to be a “global university” and will make UoN the only Russell Group University without a languages department.  If this move goes head, the damage to the university’s reputation will be immeasurable, not least because prospective students across all disciplines will likely be concerned that their chosen course will be next and will choose to study elsewhere.  This is the perfect way to reduce the number of students making Nottingham their first choice and will likely lead to a decrease in finance from student fees.

I am a music graduate; another discipline which you are looking to axe.  When choosing my undergraduate music course I actually chose Leeds over Nottingham because Leeds offered a year abroad as part of its music course when Nottingham didn’t (I didn’t study languages at A level so a joint honours course was not open to me at that time).  I was incredibly fortunate in being able to spend my third year in Bologna and developed an understanding of a different culture as well as fluency in Italian, despite only minimal language study prior to this.  The opportunity for students at Nottingham to study a language ab initio is incredibly valuable.  If the proposal to close the department goes ahead, students will be denied this opportunity and the chance to spend part of their course abroad with all the benefits that this brings.  Since graduating, I have used both my music and language skills throughout my career, first as a librarian at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, BBC Music library and King’s College London Foyle Special Collections library, where I was responsible for cataloguing and interpreting music materials in a range of languages.  As a classical singer, the ability to understand languages is invaluable and now, as Head of Music in a state secondary school, I use my knowledge of French, Italian and German regularly in lessons to widen my students’ understanding of the English language.

AI cannot replace the in depth study of languages at the highest level.  My brother in law is a self-employed Czech-English translator working in Olomouc and much of his work is now the correction of AI translations.  This takes him twice as long as a straightforward translation from Czech would, and is reflected in the cost to businesses.  A University of Nottingham’s standing should be preparing students for our global society and recognising the wide range of transferable skills taught through the study of languages, culture and translation.

Destroying such an important department as Modern Languages is an attack on the very nature of a university education and is cultural vandalism. I really hope that the University will think again, because, once lost, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to get these subjects back.

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Parent of a current MFL student who understands the value of languages and the arts

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Modern Languages at Nottingham are a JEWEL

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Modern Languages at Nottingham are a JEWEL

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I teach and research in the humanities at another UK university. Nottingham is well known for its stellar Modern Languages department.

The university will not save that much money by cutting this department, long term. And yet the damage that the closure of the department represents - damage to its brilliant staff, damage to students, damage to the UK scholarly landscape, as well as UK's ability to compete in the global economy - is enormous.

This is a travesty and I can only hope that the university administration reverses its course.

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I work in the humanities and modern language studies in the UK.

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My time at the University of Nottingham had, up until now, been an incredible experience because of the staff here and the people I have met. The news that the University plans to get rid of the Department of Modern Foreign Languages feels incredibly short-sighted but also when looking back on my time here, a strategically planned move. They have decimated the courses offered with languages at the university with shallow excuses such as timetabling. However, combined and joint-honour degree programmes are the beating heart of this department fostering intersectionality and diverse ways of thinking. This university was the only one in the country that offered my degree course and after I joined they got rid of it. Yet it has given me the opportunity to learn a language from scratch with skilled professors and lecturers - keeping it engaging and motivating - and develop my language post-A-Level. By getting rid of languages, this university is targeting all the Arts faculties and also Social Sciences, the interdisciplinary approach here was what made Nottingham so attractive and unique - it will reduce the number of students who attend to do History, Liberal arts and so much more.

It has given me so many opportunities to learn and develop skills and gain confidence.

Communication is so important in our current society and this decision devalues this university and the role - the increasing importance - of languages in this country. It cannot claim to be a global university if it does not foster a global mindset through languages.

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We would like to share our utter abhorrence of the planned closure of Modern Languages at Nottingham - one of the most venerable centres of ML generally, and German in particular, in the country. It seems difficult to think that Nottingham can remain a university in any objective sense (that is, by the international standards which ultimately define the matter) if these cuts go ahead. 

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We would like to share our utter abhorrence of the planned closure of Modern Languages at Nottingham - one of the most venerable centres of ML generally, and German in particular, in the country. It seems difficult to think that Nottingham can remain a university in any objective sense (that is, by the international standards which ultimately define the matter) if these cuts go ahead. 

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We work or have worked in UK German Studies

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As a 2014 graduate of History & Russian, and PhD holder in Russian history. I want to express my profound regret, disappointment, and anger at the management of the University of Nottingham for their public decision to announce the closure of the Modern Languages Facility.

My time within the Modern Languages facility at UoN completely shaped my career and personal life. Through a Partridge Bequest to study Czech during the summer between my second and third years of university, I was able to connect with people who would offer me my first role in Communications, a field that I work in this day. Through the grounding I received of three years of Russian language teaching, not only was I able to complete 1.5 years of research in Russia and successfully defend my PhD, but I was also able to work in Russia prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Now, residing in Austria, I am leaning on my experience of learning multiple languages (Russian & Slovenian) at Nottingham when it comes to learning German.

I'm frankly appalled that it is the amazingly dedicated members of staff of MLC, as well as their students, that have to pay the price for the abject financial decisions taken by the University of Nottingham management. Because of their financial mismanagement, others have to suffer, have their lives uprooted, and all their plans thrown out the window.

The argument that these courses are "not profitable" runs thin. Language courses require small cohorts in order for students to receive the appropriate amount of practice within classes.

For the University of Nottingham to claim that it offers "Career-ready skills" on its homepage, and then take away language learning is frankly a joke. Modern languages are an essential skill for the modern, interconnected world which sees business span multiple borders. English may be a lingua franca, but those who have foreign language competencies are far more equipped to have success within multinational companies, particularly those that operate in France or Germany.

It is a shame and a travesty that it has come to this. And I offer my sincerest solidarity to this movement.

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A truly ignorant and intolerant decision

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A truly ignorant and intolerant decision

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As a Russell Group University, deciding to terminate the whole Modern Language department is not only ludicrous, yet also shameful. I find it quite amusing how the University proudly labels itself as a ‘global institution’ - yet it begs the question, what is internationalism without language? The whole concept of being global and international is to have a wide array of differing languages and cultures.

Another thing I find truly laughable, is the fact that this is obviously a financial driven issue. The University recently purchased an extremely expensive new campus that needs to be refurbished. I’m quite sure this is not a priority for the University. As a University, it is their responsibility to be prioritising education - yet they are proposing to axe a whole department in place of creating a new and unnecessary campus. The Department itself induces average costs. Why penalise a department that isn't financially damaging the University, rather than one that is causing excess costs.

The Arts have always been undermined and disregarded compared to STEM and Humanity/Social Sciences degrees, and this decision is simply adding fuel to this unjust fire. Languages and Cultures are more crucial than ever nowadays, and it is really such a shame that this decision was even considered in the first place.

Languages are scientifically proven to increase overall academic performance. It entails countless benefits, including; enhanced communication and adaptability skills, deeper cultural awareness and global tolerance, improved employability, flexibility to study and work, and so many more.

As a language student myself, I am incredibly lucky to reap from endless benefits, such as being able to communicate with people from diverse cultures. I have also found myself to be an incredibly open-minded and considerate person, as a result of the intercultural understanding that these studies provide. Language and culture studies force you to have a strong sense of empathy and general understanding amongst your peers, making them vital for a connected society. This is something that is absolutely vital in today’s society, as we are more divided than ever.

I please urge the council to give some serious thought to this undoubtedly careless and imprudent decision. I sincerely hope that they thoroughly consider the significant emotional impact this will have on numerous staff and students. This will surely damage the reputation of the University.

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Current first year student, BA Modern Languages and Business (French & Spanish)

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Ridiculous closure is thoughtless and selfish

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Ridiculous closure is thoughtless and selfish

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Why on earth the University have disregarded the importance of the arts, I do not know, but I do know the value of language and communication skills firsthand. During the summer I interned at the top University in China, PKU, where when I told them I was studying at UON, and studying languages too, they were so excited, recognising the opportunities that languages bring. Since starting here at the University, I have received exceptional teaching from the Modern Language department, with professors going above and beyond to help me progress in my studies, along with providing interesting cultural elements. These have broadened my understanding of different cultures, and have shaped my understanding of the world we live in. This makes it even more difficult to understand why a russel group university would axe its exceptional language department, at a time when language and cultural studies is vital. A STEM subject wouldn't be axed, so why get rid of a highly sought after and useful degree programme, such as modern languages. The main reason given for the closure was funding - how is modern languages any more expensive than another course? Yes, there is a slightly smaller cohort of students, but this is essential for a language course. Please also consider how this will emotionally affect both staff, and their families, but also students who will undoubtedly feel their degree is worthless.

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Having heard the decision of the University of Nottingham to suspend all foreign languages courses, I was never more ashamed and enraged to be a student of a British university. Earlier in the academic year, the elimination of classes at the language centre raised alarms but still made sense considering the suspected cutbacks of Future Nottingham. However, the unexpected and cowardly decision to suddenly announce the suspension of language courses during our directed studies week was beyond unacceptable to both students and staff. I chose the University of Nottingham precisely because it offered brilliant and rare courses such as Portuguese as well as exchange programs in beyond unique locations around the world, such as the University of Havana.The elimination of foreign languages as well as many other courses and faculties in my eyes is nothing short of planned international isolationism and a decision scarily following the racist and fascist tendencies that have developed in British politics in recent years. Britain is a pillar of higher education internationally and this disgusting attempt to destroy that has left us all infuriated and appalled.

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I am shocked and saddened by the news that the University of Nottingham has decided to suspend modern languages courses for new students.

As a languages graduate of the university, I am truly disheartened – not only for the incredible lecturers and staff affected by this decision, but also for what it says about the declining priority given to modern languages in the UK.

My dissertation on language education in England and France showed how undervalued languages already were in the UK – this decision only makes that clearer.

Some may argue that modern languages are becoming less essential in an English-dominated world, where AI translation tools are gaining speed. However, nothing can replicate the human connection that comes from speaking to someone in their native language.

We must not forget that languages bring huge advantages to the working world. With more companies expanding internationally, there is a growing need to foster meaningful connections with clients overseas.

In a world that often feels divided, the education of cultures and languages are at the heart of bringing people together. These benefits must not be forgotten.

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I believe that the German Department at Nottingham is one of the best and most forward-looking departments in the UK. In view of the insecurity of German Studies in Britain, I consider it irresponsible to shut down this excellent department. A closure of this department would have major implications for other Departments of German across the country and lead to considerable damage to the academic climate across the UK.

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Prof em. Hans-Joachim Hahn (Oxford University)

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I have worked in UK German Studies for many years

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I strongly oppose the proposed closure of Modern Languages degree programmes at the University of Nottingham. Modern Languages are essential for fostering intercultural understanding, supporting global engagement, and addressing the UK’s critical language skills gap. Eliminating these programmes would have long-term, irreversible consequences for students, staff, and the University’s international reputation. I urge decision-makers to reconsider and explore sustainable alternatives that safeguard these vital disciplines.

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I am an Associate Professor in Spanish and Applied Linguistics at the University of East Anglia. This year, students from the University of Nottingham have joined my international research initiative, SAAM (Support for Access to Audiovisual Media https://saamproject.org/), which promotes accessibility and multilingualism in digital media. This collaboration highlights the vital role Modern Languages play in fostering innovative research and global engagement.

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I am a second-year student at the university, and this move absolutely disgusts me. How can a university claim to be an international body, all while cutting languages brutally for no reason other than the university's own ineptitude. They waste millions on a campus they cannot even build then we, those uninvolved with the process, suffer the consequences. This is simply wrong on all levels. I suggest that instead of destroying the university absolutely and further squandering its reputation they sell some of the millions of pounds worth they hold in various stocks. This is a university, a space for education yet it is instead being treated like wall street and we can see the consequences of these actions. Shame on the university and shame on ALL on the board who held even a miniscule amount of power to stop this but have failed to do so. Even referring to the university as a russell group just seems wrong now. I pray that the univeristy realises the errors of its ways and the board remembers that first and foremost this is a univerisity the primary purpose of which is to teach, not generate money for faceless shareholders.

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Long-Term Objectives Over Short-Term Gains

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Long-Term Objectives Over Short-Term Gains

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As a 45-year-old single mother and mature student in my final year of Hispanic Studies, I offer a different perspective. The Modern Languages department has been exceptional, offering varied modules and unwavering support throughout my studies. This degree has transformed my life after redundancy during the pandemic, opening new career pathways at a time when finding work is challenging for young people and let alone someone of my age. The next generation needs every advantage to survive in today’s labour market and the University of Nottingham risks letting them down.

My greatest surprise has not been the level of Spanish I have acquired, but the insight into my own society. On Remembrance Day, I understood the meaning of “Lest We Forget” more profoundly than ever. Studying the Chilean dictatorship, Francoist Spain, and other cultural histories has shown me how fortunate we are in the UK and what we must defend. I now clearly see that teaching languages to future generations is vital for national and international society, encouraging critical thinking on issues such as UK democracy, the ‘immigration crisis’, Brexit, reform movements, and global politics to which the generation like my working-class parents do not understand or fully engage.

Languages are as foundational to the identity of this university as the Portland stone from which it was built. They should be a core factor in strategic decision-making. However, I recognise the need for universities to evolve and to look forward rather than back.

I agree that technology and business subjects are the future for the UK economy but is it wise for the University of Nottingham to place all of its investment into those areas?

The government has made it clear that it intends to favour vocational routes over university degrees. I fully support that this is the most effective way to train people for many technical and professional roles as was the case when I started in publishing at 18. New students will easily be tempted into £30,000-a-year roles, rather than huge university debts. As this accelerates, universities will inevitably lose numbers, and therefore income, in many ‘fashionable’ fields.

However, Languages cannot be learned on the job, they require high-level teaching. They attract students who are genuinely motivated not those seeking the easiest route or the latest trend. They may not pull in large numbers, but they provide a stable and reliable source of income, as well as graduates with essential skills in diplomacy, education, research, culture, business, and global communication in an ever more international society.

If overall enrolment declines, the solution is not to abandon languages. Nottingham should preserve a streamlined but robust faculty, safeguarding academic diversity and its long-term mission.

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As a fourth year French and German student, I know exactly what a loss the closure of the languages department would be - my past three years at UoN have been so incredibly formative. I have been taught about culture, language, history, literature and politics by staff who are not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also excellent communicators and unrelentingly committed to providing an engaging and open environment for learning in which students feel valued and uplifted, and through which my own confidence has grown exponentially. I have experienced first-hand the first-class teaching at Nottingham and alongside the deep sense of injustice I feel about the precarity of my lecturers’ careers, I also know exactly what a loss the axing of the department would be to prospective students all over the country. I feel for those in the East Midlands, who would suddenly find themselves in a ‘cold spot’ for degree-level language study, and my heart breaks particularly for individuals for whom relocation to a different city for university is not possible (whether for financial reasons, family obligations or health reasons) and thus university level language study would simply be inaccessible to them. This surely directly contradicts the university’s value of inclusivity: it what sense is this decision creating “a community where everyone can contribute and be appreciated for who they are”?

I chose to study languages because of my passion for communication and learning about different cultures, and study at Nottingham has only nurtured this passion to grow and flourish – particularly during my year abroad. Without language study, I wouldn’t have volunteered at the Paralympics, working as a part of an incredible team of international volunteers to deliver a spectacular show of global excellence founded upon cross-cultural understanding. I wouldn’t have experienced all the joys of winter in Germany, of meeting and making friends with people from all over the world, of the sense of confidence and pride that comes with realising that you actually can understand and converse with people in an entirely new language – and their surprise and delight when they realise that you’re speaking their language. I wouldn’t have had the chance to live with an incredible 80-year-old French woman, who delighted in showing me with complete pride the joys of her culture and region, who has been hosting English exchange students for the past 10 years and was unrelentingly praising of her ‘anglais’ and of the sharing of respect, culture and warmth that hosting them had brought. But these are just my experiences; I am only one of 550 current undergraduate modern languages students, each of whom have their own wonderful experiences which come exclusively from studying languages. I simply cannot comprehend how a global university can consider this internationally open-minded, horizons-broadening experience to not be a priority, and can only urge them to reconsider their decision.

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I graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2008 with a degree in French Studies with Politics. My languages degree has informed every part of my subsequent career: writing, research, education. None of this would have been possible without the degree there to broaden my cultural, linguistic and political understanding. I work in HE now and I know the sector is under a lot of pressure, but that means that not losing the enormous talent and dedication of the staff is more important than ever. It is not something the University will ever be able to get back once its gone.

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Deep concern over plans to suspend Modern Languages courses at University of Nottingham

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Deep concern over plans to suspend Modern Languages courses at University of Nottingham

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I wish to express my deep concern over University of Nottingham's plan to cut Modern Languages degrees. How does the university plan to achieve its goal to "become known across the world as Britain’s foremost global university" if it becomes the only Russell Group university not to offer degrees in languages, with the resultant damage to its reputation? Such sudden and severe cuts to an entire department and course offerings will affect the university's standing and call into question the ability of its senior management to successfully manage the university's finances and programme offering to students, and to support their excellent staff. Moreover, the university would be creating a languages black hole in the entire East Midlands region, which already ranks highly in terms of educational deprivation. The senior leadership team at Nottingham needs to do everything they can to save languages at their university!

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I am Associate Professor in Interpreting and Translation (with Spanish) and Course Director for Language and Communication Studies BA and MA programmes at another UK university. I have collaborated with excellent researchers and educators at the Modern Languages department at University of Nottingham, notably on a UKRI-funded network which brings together academic and media industry stakeholders.

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As a first year undergraduate student I am appalled with the current threats of termination to jobs and cuts to courses. Not even two months into my course of English and Hispanic studies and instead of being in classes, I am stood protesting for my lecturers' jobs and watching the morale of the most patient, hardworking, and caring educators fall drastically.

Picking up a language from a complete beginner's level alongside my course made me proud to tell my family and friends at home and abroad about attending the University of Nottingham. The fact that this University brandishes "Uk, China, Malaysia" on its logo is embarrassing considering the lack of respect the University holds for languages, culture, and history - visible through the very courses they have deemed unimportant, unprofitable, and therefore unfit to be taught when this is far from true.

The most shameful fact, however, is that the University cannot seem to admit guilt upon its own failures and, instead, has began eradicating the multitude of smaller courses in order to cover their own backs. Claiming there is a declining number of applicants after cutting resources for outreach on top of spending nearly a hundred million pounds on an unused, irrelevant campus or, more accurately, a vanity project and insisting that the Modern Languages and Culture department as well as the other schools being cut are to blame for the decline in funds is ridiculous.

Overall, I hope the faculty, the students, and those involved in any "future" of Nottingham remembers this: Sapientia urbs conditur. Meaning, 'a city is built on wisdom' and that the University and its courses should shape society, not allow society to pressurise the University into what to become and teach. Perhaps those in charge of the future Nottingham has, however, do not realise the importance and value of the University's own motto because they do not understand the incredible significance of languages and culture within Nottingham and our world today.

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As a fourth-year modern language student I was so devasted to hear the news of Nottingham’s proposal to close languages courses. I remember my first open day at Nottingham – I met some of the lecturers, had a conversation with Dr. Paul Smith and knew instantly that I wanted to study at Nottingham. The wide range of module choices and dedicated, passionate staff was just the start.

Since then, I have completed two years at Nottingham and a Year Abroad. They have honestly been the best years of my life; I know it’s cliché. The year abroad specifically was the best year of my life and opened doors to so many opportunities that, now, so many students are not going to be able to experience. I was so proud to be studying at this University, however, since the announcement I feel completely undervalued: I am studying at a university that doesn’t believe my course to be worthy. It is absolutely unimaginable that the University of Nottingham, which considers itself a ‘global’ university, would decide to cut languages. I feel deeply upset for the students in first, second and third years who are going to face disruption to their studies. I feel upset for those students taking A-Level and wanting to come to Nottingham to study languages, and specifically those from the East Midlands where this university may have been their only option. Most of all I’m deeply upset for the staff. They are the most dedicated and hard-working team, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them. Even through these times, after the news, they are still dedicated to giving us students a thorough education.

Even though I have always wanted to be a languages teacher, it is through being at Nottingham that I have solidified this decision. Particularly through the quality of teaching I have received and the role models I’ve had, I want more than ever to pursue this career. What’s more, I have known that I wanted to work in the East Midlands; the university’s decision has made me even more passionate to become a teacher and advocate for languages in an area where they are considered unimportant.

Languages are an integral part of life and human connection. Without languages, understanding other people and other cultures would be impossible. Furthermore, they develop communication and critical thinking skills, vital for understanding the world. The removal of languages at Nottingham is taking away this opportunity for other students to develop these skills which are incredibly important in the global sphere.

Overall, I think it would be a mistake for the University of Nottingham to go through with this disappointing decision. I really hope they reconsider and keep the incredibly important languages department.

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Language and translation are not an add-on

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Language and translation are not an add-on

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The proposed closure of all modern languages degrees at Nottingham represents a fundamental misunderstanding of what language education provides. Behind the bureaucratic language of "programme suspension" are real people—colleagues whose life's work is being dismissed, research communities being scattered, and expertise painstakingly built over decades being thrown away.

As someone who works daily at the intersection of translation and technology, I find the implicit assumption that AI can substitute for language expertise particularly troubling. Algorithms can process patterns, but they cannot grasp cultural context, navigate ethical complexities, or make the balanced judgments that human understanding requires. Technology amplifies human expertise; it doesn't replace it. We need more people with deep language competence to work effectively with these tools, not fewer.

The practical consequences extend far beyond the university. Eliminating all degree-level language study across the East Midlands blocks pathways for an entire region's young people and collapses the pipeline for language teachers in schools. The irony is stark: a university presenting itself as globally oriented is dismantling the very infrastructure that enables global engagement.

Languages are foundational to democracy, economic opportunity, and international collaboration. They're not peripheral offerings to be cut when finances tighten, they're core academic provision that belongs in any comprehensive research-intensive university.

Nottingham must reconsider. There are other ways to address financial pressures that don't involve destroying an entire discipline and the people who have dedicated their careers to it.

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I am an academic and have worked with colleagues from Nottingham

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I graduated from Nottingham in 2010 with a BA in English and Hispanic Studies with Portuguese. My experience studying Modern Languages at Nottingham inspired me to pursue postgraduate study and I am now a Reader in Latin American Studies at Queen Mary University of London.

Nottingham has one of the best Modern Languages departments in the UK. Colleagues in the department publish field-defining research and the closure of its programmes would deprive generations of future students of the experiences I was so lucky to have. Studying Latin American literature and culture, learning Portuguese from scratch, and going on my Year Abroad in Latin America utterly changed the course of my personal and professional life. The decision to suspend entry to ML programmes is short sighted. The damage that will be done by their closure is irreversible and will set a dangerous precedent for these subjects at Russell Group institutions across the country.

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I started studying Modern Languages with Translation at UoN in 2022. When researching my options, I became aware that UoN was one of the few universities in the country to offer a dedicated translation course, and I was so impressed by the range of modules, as well as the enthusiasm of staff and students I met on open days, that Nottingham quickly became my firm choice.

My time as a student at UoN has been enriching on so many levels, and this is above all because of the excellent quality of teaching I have enjoyed across all my modules. I know just how passionate all the staff in MLC are about their subject and in my role as a Student Ambassador, it is always refreshing to meet prospective students who want to continue their language studies beyond A Levels, whether through their degree programme or through the university's Language Centre.

The fact that it will no longer be possible to study languages in the East Midlands is extremely concerning, and I fear that by even considering the closure of such a thriving academic department, the University will have already tarnished its reputation as a global university.