Macquarie University Faces Backlash Over Job Losses and Course Reductions

Humanities and Social Sciences Targeted in Macquarie University Course Cuts

Macquarie University, a well-known research institution in Sydney, Australia, was founded in 1964 and is ranked among the top 1% of universities globally. Known for its innovation, industry partnerships, and cutting-edge facilities, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, Macquarie has invested over $1 billion in infrastructure, creating a dynamic and forward-thinking learning environment.

Recently, Macquarie University announced a major restructuring plan, which will lead to the elimination of key courses and the loss of more than 75 jobs. The decision has sparked significant concern among staff and students, as it will drastically reduce academic options, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. As part of the overhaul, bachelor's degrees in archaeology, music, and ancient languages will be discontinued, while sociology and ancient history will face significant reductions. Bachelor of Arts students will no longer be able to major in politics, gender studies, criminology, or psychological studies, further limiting their academic choices. Additionally, master's programmes in electronics engineering, ancient history, and two IT fields will also be scrapped.

The restructuring will impact both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science and Engineering, with 42 job losses in Arts and 33 in Science and Engineering. Despite these cuts, Macquarie University’s annual report revealed that profit and operating cash flow had improved substantially in 2024, with teaching and research revenue growing at nearly double the rate of academic salaries. The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), with representatives expressing deep frustration and disappointment. Dr Nicholas Harrigan, President of the NTEU Macquarie Branch, described the decision as devastating, stating that staff members felt their lives had been turned upside down for the sake of budgetary arguments. He further suggested that some individuals were being specifically targeted, raising concerns about management’s motives.

NTEU Division Secretary Vince Caughley echoed these sentiments, calling the cuts part of a broader crisis affecting multiple universities across New South Wales. He argued that every job lost represents broken teams, lost expertise, and disrupted lives, sending a troubling message that those who build knowledge and support students are disposable. NTEU National President Dr Alison Barnes described the restructuring as a hammer blow for future students, warning that scrapping courses and cutting jobs undermines the fabric of society, which relies on world-class higher education. She further criticised university governance, calling for urgent reforms to ensure greater accountability and transparency.

The Macquarie University cuts add to a growing trend of job losses across NSW universities, with over 1000 positions eliminated in the past year following similar decisions at UTS, the University of Wollongong, and Western Sydney University. As concerns mount over the future of higher education, critics argue that such decisions contradict the federal government’s goal of ensuring that half of all young people hold degrees by 2035.

Editor’s Note:

Macquarie University’s restructuring plan, which removes key courses and over 75 jobs, raises troubling questions about the priorities and future of higher education in Australia. While institutions must adapt to financial pressures, the disproportionate focus on cutting humanities and social sciences is particularly concerning. These disciplines form the backbone of critical thinking, cultural understanding, and societal progress, and their erosion diminishes the diversity and intellectual richness universities should uphold. Beyond the immediate impact on students and staff, this decision adds to a larger problem facing NSW universities, where over 1,000 jobs have been lost in just the past year. Even though Macquarie University’s financial report shows stability, choosing profit over academic quality raises concerns about the university’s priorities.

Skoobuzz maintains that as the federal government aims for half of all young Australians to earn a degree by 2035, continued job cuts risk holding back this goal and weakening the country’s ability to build a skilled, competitive workforce.