University of Dundee staff cuts put architecture course ‘at risk’, students warn

Members of the Association of Dundee Architecture Students (ADAS) have written to interim principal Professor Nigel Seaton to raise what they describe as an “urgent” situation.

Dundee’s architecture courses, based at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD), are consistently ranked among the best in the UK. However, students say that since the start of the current semester, there has been “little to no teaching staff,” leaving them concerned about the university’s ability to deliver the courses properly.

The students warn that the loss of key staff could jeopardise the university’s accreditation with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

In their letter to Professor Seaton, ADAS wrote: “It has become apparent that, without these members of staff, we are jeopardising our continued accreditation. If the university loses this accreditation, it will lose the ability to host an architecture course at all.”

The group acknowledged the financial pressures the university is facing but argued that cutting vital teaching positions is a short-sighted move.

“Completely withdrawing teaching staff who are responsible for 300 paying students is something we fail to see benefiting the university in any parameter,” the letter continued.
“This will only continue to damage the University of Dundee’s reputation and its income stream.”

Students also warned that the lack of teaching provision could prompt many to leave the course altogether.

An ADAS spokesperson told The Courier: “We are hopeful for a speedy resolution and would like to work with the university to reinstate the missing staff and resume the course in full. We have already received overwhelming support from students and the wider architectural community.

“We are proud to be part of the University of Dundee and hope this new administration will lead the university down a more prosperous path.”

A University of Dundee spokesperson said the institution was aware of the concerns and was taking steps to resolve the issue: “We are aware of the students’ concerns over accreditation and the provision of professional tutors, and we are actively working to address this.

“We will keep student wellbeing at the centre of what we are doing to mitigate any negative impacts. We work closely with all our accrediting bodies and take our obligations to them and our students very seriously.”