Members of the Kingston University and College Union (KUCU) have shared their suspicions behind Kingston University's reasonings for closing its Department of Humanities from September 2025.

The closure will lead to the end of the university's Humanities courses, as well as English and Philosophy courses.

The Kingston Language Scheme, which offers free language courses to students, is also set to be cut.

The university plans to make £20m in cuts over the next two years with a focus on subjects and departments attracting low numbers of student applications.

In response to this news, KUCU members have not only started an open letter advocating against the cuts but have also shared their suspicions about the reasoning behind the university's plans.

The KUCU members believe that the university's decision to cut the above courses is to help fund the building of the university's new educational building, Middle Mill.

The Middle Mill building, which will be located near the university's Knight's Park campus, is thought to be intended for the university's School of Art which runs the Humanities department and Philosophy courses.

Kingston University initially revealed its plans for Middle Mill last year.

However, following an initial round of public consultation in November and December 2024, the university unveiled updated proposals for the building last month.

The new proposals will include an updated colour palette, which takes influence from surrounding buildings and local wildlife, and an improved internal layout to be enjoyed by both students and the local community.

 This builds on the original proposals shared last year, which include a sawtooth roof design acknowledging the site's industrial heritage and maximising natural light, alongside the use of clay tile cladding traditionally used in many of Kingston's current buildings.

Proposals include publicly accessible facilities including exhibition spaces, and a new café, alongside a new flexible studio space available to students, which will contribute to a strong campus identity.

Set on the Hogsmill River, the designs include plans to improve green spaces alongside the building, incorporating design features to protect the local wildlife.  

 Given that the plans to cut courses were revealed only a month before the updated proposals for Middle Mill were unveiled, the KUCU have become suspicious that the course cuts will help fund these new proposals.

However, the university has denied these claims.

A Kingston University spokesperson said: "We have recently conducted a university-wide review of our undergraduate and postgraduate course provision to ensure we are in the best position possible to support areas experiencing growing demand and offer a portfolio that reflects the rapidly evolving needs of students and employers.

"The review has identified some courses that are currently being subsidised by other parts of the University and are no longer sustainable due to lack of student demand.

"Addressing this will ensure resources can be better aligned to areas of potential growth.

"The proposals for a new education building at Middle Mill, next to our Knights Park campus, have been developed as a result of increasing student demand across many parts of Kingston School of Art.

"This has been under consideration for several years and is included in the University's capital planning.

"The proposals for the building reflect the University's commitment to providing our students with world-class architectural design and facilities that drive educational quality and innovation."