The University of Nottingham’s governing council is considering proposals to close up to 48 degree programs, including modern foreign languages and music, citing weakened revenues and rising costs. If approved, Nottingham would be the only Russell Group university not to offer modern foreign languages degrees, a move that has alarmed staff and sector observers. University leaders pointed to demographic shifts, lower applicant volumes for certain arts disciplines and the financial imperative to prioritize programs aligned with demand. Faculty and students warn that the cuts would narrow academic breadth, damage recruitment and erode the university’s global profile in the humanities. The council is set to decide next week; the move underscores how even research‑intensive institutions are weighing program closures as part of broader financial triage across U.K. higher education.