University's chemistry department is under threat

The University of Hull is consulting over whether to close its chemistry department.

The university said it had struggled to recruit students to chemistry courses, and said many of the programmes were now "no longer financially or educationally viable".

The university said it had experienced difficulties in recruiting both UK and international students, with a "significant reduction" in those applying from overseas.

A spokesperson said it needed to "make some difficult decisions, including reorganising parts of the university, both to maintain our financial sustainability and to grow and develop".

The spokesperson added that the "significant challenges" the university was facing were in line with those faced by other universities in the UK.

The university has recently tried to boost student numbers for its chemistry courses.

"In the case of chemistry, we tried to reverse the position over a number of years with no success, despite the subject at Hull having a strong reputation and league table position," the spokesperson said.

The chemistry department was rated the fourth best in the UK in The Guardian's University Guide 2024.

If the department were to close, chemistry might continue to be taught as part of other programmes, such as chemical engineering, biochemistry and medicine.

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