University of Reading proposes closing its chemistry department next year

The department of chemistry at the University of Reading is facing closure from August 2025. This is the third potential closure to be announced this year. In February, Aston University revealed its intention to close its BSc chemistry and BSc applied chemistry courses and, in July, the University of Hull published proposals to close its entire chemistry department. These closures prompted warnings that more would follow if the financial challenges faced by the UK’s higher education sector were not addressed.

Under plans communicated to staff on 22 October 2024, Reading’s University Executive Board has recommended moving the chemistry programmes to the school of pharmacy, apart from the MSc and MChem programmes, which will be closed for recruitment and taught out.