The University of Exeter announced major job cuts expected to affect about 150 academic roles, with humanities positioned as the hardest hit area. The university said the cuts are needed to address rising costs, a real-terms decline in tuition fee income, underfunded research, and a sustained drop in international student demand. The University College Union (UCU) branch disputed the university’s approach, stating that 500 staff have been informed they are at risk and alleging humanities are disproportionately targeted—accounting for 85% of roles at risk. Exeter’s history, English, modern languages, and politics courses could see up to 25% of staff reduced, according to UCU. UCU said it plans to ballot for industrial action and pursue a vote of no confidence in Vice-Chancellor Lisa Roberts. The university said it hopes to achieve changes through voluntary measures and will work with the community and trade unions to limit compulsory redundancies. For higher education leaders, the Exeter cuts reflect how UK research-intensive institutions are confronting demand shifts and funding compression—while raising acute risks for disciplinary ecosystems and student experience when humanities staffing becomes a primary adjustment lever.