Wednesday, 29 April 2026
With many of you returning to campus from the spring vacation this week, we wanted to provide a short recap on Future Nottingham 2 (FN2) and share a timeline for further activity.
FN2 proposals – a recap
Future Nottingham is about future-proofing our institution, making sure it is financially sustainable in response to increasing challenges upon the sector. The FN2 Strategic Case for Change - approved by University Council in November 2025 - outlined a number of proposals to reshape our institution over the next three years. It’s important to remember that nothing has been decided at this stage.
The case for change outlined the following key proposals:
- Programme closures
We have already suspended recruitment to some courses where there is declining student demand and a lack of alignment with the institution’s strategic priorities.
- Equitable support provision
To ensure consistency across the institution. This includes the Tutoring for Student Success support model for students which has been piloted in a small number of schools and will be rolled out to other areas.
- A new academic structure
A change to the way we organise ourselves to create three colleges with fewer, larger schools, allowing for increased sharing of resources and technical support.
Key dates and future timeline
- Wednesday 6 May: A draft business case will be submitted to University Council for approval
- Thursday 7 May: All staff/students will receive an email outlining the Council decision
If the draft business case is approved, then we will move into the following sequence of activities. If it is not approved, these activities will be cancelled.
- Monday 11 May: Staff will be invited to FN2 briefing sessions
- Wednesday 13 May: In-person student FN2 forums will commence in each faculty
- May-September: Virtual drop-ins will be available on a weekly basis throughout the summer for students who have questions or concerns
Pending the outcome of the consultation, we anticipate a final business case being submitted to trade unions, Senate, and University Council in September. If it is approved, the proposed changes will be implemented from October 2026, with a view to new structures being in place by September 2027.
FN2 Forums
If the draft business case is approved by University Council on Wednesday 6 May, this will be followed by a series of FN2 forums and drop-ins, ensuring you have a chance to find out more and share any concerns you may have. If the draft business case is not approved, the FN2 forums will not go ahead. However, we’re sharing them here to give you as much time to plan as possible.
The first FN2 forum will take place on Thursday 7 May, giving you the opportunity to ask questions following the decision of Council. It will take place online at 12pm.
This will be followed by a series of faculty forums for you to explore the draft business case and find out specifically what any potential upcoming changes might mean for your area of study. We encourage you to attend one of these sessions if you are able:
- Faculty of Arts: 11am Friday 15 May, A41 Clive Granger Building, University Park
- Faculty of Engineering: 12pm Thursday 14 May, B13 Physics Building, University Park
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences: 12pm Wednesday 13 May, A3 Medical School, QMC
- Faculty of Science: 3pm Wednesday 13 May, C15 Chemistry Building, University Park
- Faculty of Social Sciences: 10am Wednesday 13 May, B01 Exchange Building, Jubilee Campus
- Virtual session open to all: 10am Thursday 14 May, online
Feedback and support
You can write to the FN2 programme team at any time by emailing BR-FN-feedback@nottingham.ac.uk. Please do reach out to a member of your Support and Wellbeing Team if you have any concerns.