Frequently asked questions (for students)
Following the recent proposals around staff redundancies, we have endeavoured to answer your questions below.
How many staff are going to be made redundant?
At the moment we are discussing potential redundancies. The University and the Trade Union (in this case UCU) are exploring all options. Not all subject areas are affected. Those areas facing potential redundancies are as follows:
The Faculty of Education and Social Sciences - 23
- Education - 11
- Social Science - 12
The Faculty of Creative Arts and Humanities - 11
- Arts and Humanities - 6
- Performing Arts - 5
The Faculty of Health and Digital Sciences - 5
- Health Sciences - 3
- Sports Science - 1
- Geography and Environmental Science - 1
The Faculty of Law and Criminology - 0
How does this affect me?
We know that you may have concerns, particularly if your subject area is one that has been
impacted. Please know that we are working hard to minimise disruption and ensure that you
continue to have the best possible learning and student experience. now and into the future.
Why have you started this process?
The higher education sector has been facing financial challenges over recent years as large
numbers of universities are facing a decline in student numbers, with the demand for some
subjects significantly impacted. This has led to universities taking difficult decisions; 96 UK
universities had reported as looking at voluntary or compulsory redundancies, restructures
and other interventions on 3 May 2025.
Liverpool Hope unfortunately finds itself facing these same issues.
Further information relating to the difficulties faced by the sector is provided by the OfS’
annual financial sustainability report, where analysis identified continued pressure on university finances: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/press-
and-media/ofs-analysis-finds-continued-pressure-on-university-finances/.
What is the university doing?
Initiatives to ensure that the University remains financially and academically sustainable to
meet our longer term strategic objectives are ongoing. This includes proposals for new
structures within certain schools which regrettably leads to potential redundancies in some
areas. Proposals for redundancies are undergoing a consultation process, and the
University is working with UCU.
What support is available?
We know that students may be concerned about the impact on their studies and the
academic staff within their subject areas. We are working hard to ensure that you continue to
have the best possible learning and student experience now and into the future.
Welfare and academic support will be available to you as usual, so please contact Student
Life if you need any assistance.
Who can I contact?
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Executive Dean for your
Faculty.
The answers to the most common questions will be added to this page.
Faculty of Education and Social Sciences (including the School of Education and School of Social Sciences): Professor Cate Carroll-Meehan - carrolc@hope.ac.uk
Faculty of Creative Arts and Humanities (including the School of Creative and Performing Arts and the School of Humanities: Professor Stephen Davismoon - davisms@hope.ac.uk
Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences (including the School of Health and Sport Sciences, School of Computer Science and the Environment and School of Psychology): Dr Craig Marsh - marshc@hope.ac.uk