Uni plans to shut down youth work degree

The course, which has 49 full-time and seven part-time students, is still in its first year, but the university's senior management has decided it is no longer financially viable.

In a statement, the university said considerable investment had been made in the youth and community work area to allow for future expansion, but applications had been in sharp decline.

 "This year interest was significantly down and, coupled with the current economic climate, the decision was made to close the course," the statement said.

However, senior lecturer in youth and community work and admissions tutor Sue Robertson said the youth and community work department had been told to come up with an a "counter-proposal" to closure and were still allowed to recruit students.

"The good news is that we are still able to recruit. We've been told we're under threat but that we've got a little more time," she said.

The consultation on the proposed closure of the course ends next month.