Student turns up at university only to find course cancelled

Students’ plans to study their “dream course” were thrown into disarray after it was cancelled at short notice in the latest sign that choice is being restricted as universities review provision. 

Esme Goodwin was due to begin studying philosophy, religion and ethics at Roehampton this autumn – and had even been promised a £2,000 scholarship for academic excellence. 

It was only at an induction day towards the end of September ahead of freshers week that the 18-year-old was told by the university that her course had been cancelled, after just three other students enrolled.

Her mother Johanna Goodwin told Times Higher Education that Esme is “devastated” and is concerned for her mental health.

“We’re gobsmacked, blindsided and I think it’s outrageous that they treat a potential student like that.”

Esme, who wanted to study the course so that she could go on to become a religious studies teacher, has been left “completely lost”, according to her mother.

With clearing closed, Esme faced having to wait another year to study the subject she wanted, with her mother fearing she would be left behind “in limbo”.

Applying next year would also mean she would have to complete an entirely new personal statement through Ucas, without any guidance from her old school, after the admissions service changed its format for 2026.

“She’s got a gap year that she never wanted. We can’t afford to send her travelling, which people tend to do on gap years,” said Goodwin. “She’s trying but she can’t get a job, and a gap on a CV is just useless – I think it goes down really badly with employers to see a year of doing nothing.”

Hope has now been offered that Esme may be able to study this year after all, after another institution that offers a similar course said they might be able to help. 

Esme said: “After a stressful 11 days, I was contacted by Roehampton who have discussed a potential admission to another suitable university.

“There appeared to be a breakdown in communication and hopefully preventative measures for this happening to anyone else will be implemented. I didn’t want to settle for any other course offered to me as this was to be my dream degree.”

An analysis recently revealed that almost 4,000 university courses have closed across the UK in the past year.

A spokesperson for Roehampton said: “We are aware of this case and have shared our apologies to the student for any upset she has experienced as a result of this situation.

“A total of four students were affected, three of whom have accepted places on alternative University of Roehampton courses.

“We are currently working with this fourth student and her family to try and find a place on a suitable course at an alternative provider.”