The arts are on the chopping block once again. Cardiff University is the latest in a wave of UK institutions proposing the closure of creative programmes, joining the likes of the University of Wolverhampton—where all 138 performing arts courses were suspended—and Canterbury Christ Church University, whose English Literature course was deemed “no longer viable” as of late 2024.
Cardiff’s announcement is part of broader cost-cutting measures, which include eliminating over 400 full-time positions and discontinuing courses in modern languages and ancient history. The proposed closure of Cardiff’s School of Music has drawn heavy criticism, with many warning of its potential impact on music education across Wales and the UK.
Among the most vocal critics is renowned Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins, who argues that shuttering the school could make music education more elitist by ending opportunities for state-funded tuition. “It risks increasing elitism within the arts,” Jenkins said, adding that such moves threaten to undermine Wales’ cultural heritage.
This decision raises broader concerns about the growing trend of prioritising commercially lucrative subjects over the arts. At the centre of this debate is the question of accessibility: Cardiff’s School of Music is one of the few institutions in Wales offering specialised music education at a high level. If the closure proceeds, students may be forced to seek education elsewhere—most likely in England, where Welsh students face higher tuition fees. For many, this could mean being priced out entirely.
The risk is especially grave for working-class students who lack alternative pathways into the music industry. Without access to university-level training, rehearsal spaces, and networking opportunities, many aspiring musicians could find themselves locked out of the profession. The ripple effects would also be felt at earlier stages of education: a decline in qualified music educators could further marginalise creative subjects in secondary schools, where arts funding is already under threat.
Music has long been at the heart of Welsh identity, from traditional folk songs to internationally renowned orchestras and artists. Cardiff’s School of Music has played a vital role in sustaining that legacy, feeding into local choirs, ensembles, and outreach initiatives. The potential closure could dismantle this cultural ecosystem, weakening networks that will be difficult—if not impossible—to rebuild.
The decision also threatens interdisciplinary collaboration within the university itself. Students in drama, film, and media studies often rely on music students for joint projects and productions. Without a music department, these opportunities for creative cross-pollination would be lost.
Many see the move as part of a worrying precedent. As higher education institutions struggle with tightening budgets, arts programmes often become the first casualties. Government policies that favour STEM subjects further incentivise universities to cut creative courses in a bid to stay afloat.
But cutting the arts is short-sighted. The UK’s creative industry contributed an estimated £125 billion to the economy in 2024. Reducing entry routes into this sector risks stifling innovation, shrinking job opportunities, and diminishing the UK’s influence as a global cultural leader. There is also extensive research showing the cognitive benefits of music education—benefits that extend well beyond music majors to students of all disciplines and age groups.
The backlash has been swift and passionate. A petition to save Cardiff’s School of Music has garnered over 23,000 signatures, with one supporter writing: “Wales has music at its heart and in its soul. No reason can possibly justify such a decision.” On 22nd February 2025, hundreds of musicians and supporters marched from Museum Avenue to Cardiff City Hall in protest, calling on Vice-Chancellor Wendy Larner to reverse the decision.
Whether the protests will succeed in saving the department remains to be seen. But the case has already sparked a wider national conversation: What do we value in education? What role should the arts play in shaping not just our culture, but our society?
Ultimately, this isn’t just about one university department. It’s about what kind of future we want to build—and whether that future still has a place for music.
