YOU couldn’t make it up!
As campaigners press for a properly funded and expanded Magee University 50 years after the notorious decision to expand Ulster University at Coleraine instead of Derry, Magee is facing more CUTS.
Higher education minister Stephen Farry’s cuts to his budget means Ulster University is slashing 53 courses – 10 of them at Magee.
Most of the degrees are full-time but the university has said it cannot yet say how many student places will be cut.
Lecturers are shocked and angry at the extent of the cuts to courses.
There has been no consultation over the cutbacks, they claim.
Staff have been most shocked by the ending of the only undergraduate dance degree in Ireland – taught at the Magee campus in Derry – and the closing of the only degree in housing management.
It was said to have been popular and 90pc of its graduates found immediate employment.
The university said it was preparing for cuts to its budget by the Department of Employment and Learning and said it was letting future students know early which courses they can no longer apply for this year.
It said it chose the 53 courses on the grounds of student numbers, employability and student satisfaction.
The University and Colleges Union said it had only just seen the list and was angry it was not consulted on the plans.
It is not yet clear how many student places will go and if any staff posts will be affected.
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