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Written question asked by Nadia Whittome (Labour) on Thursday, 16 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Josh MacAlister (Labour) on Monday, 7 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Chemistry: Higher Education

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the percentage of chemistry degree courses which are due to (a) close and (b) reduce in the 2026-27 academic year.

Answer

Higher education (HE) providers are independent of government and are responsible for managing their finances. The department is aware that some providers are making difficult decisions about the courses they offer in order to safeguard their long-term financial sustainability.

The Office for Students (OfS) is taking forward the development and delivery of the Market Monitoring Function, announced in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, to improve the evidence base on the demand for and supply of HE provision.

The Market Monitoring Function will highlight any gaps between demand, supply and local need, and help identify areas where there are cold spots in availability of provision to inform better regional coordination.

In her 6 July letter to the OfS setting out her priorities for 2026/27, the former Secretary of State for Education asked them to maintain targeted funding through the Strategic Priorities Grant for subjects in price group B, which includes chemistry.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
19493
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Closures Chemistry Higher education
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk