THE axe has fallen on a raft of courses at one of Scotland's leading universities despite months of protest from academics and students.

Glasgow University’s ruling Court voted to push through a series of cuts that will result in the closure of a high-profile drug misuse research centre, an end to Slavonic Studies and the scrapping of a stand-alone Liberal Arts programme at its Dumfries campus.

There is also continued uncertainty over the future of nursing, which has been given a stay of execution for a year pending a Scotland-wide review of training provision.

Some evening and weekend courses for adult learners may also be scaled back after it was agreed grant support for the Open Programme would be phased out.

The university will also continue its withdrawal from social work courses.

However, some of the most extreme suggestions for cuts -- such as cutting most languages and shutting the Open programme -- had already been rejected.

Last night a university spokeswoman said it would be doing “everything possible” to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Meanwhile, Strathclyde University in Glasgow also moved closer to a range of cuts in its academic provision after a meeting of the Senate, the body that represents academics.

The university had faced criticism over plans to axe courses in music, community education, geography and sociology and the Senate had been asked to back calls for a delay by the lecturers’ union, University and College Union Scotland (UCU).

However, the Senate rejected the delay and voted in favour of pressing ahead with the cuts, which will now go to the Court at a meeting next week.

Last night there was anger from academics and students at both institutions over the cuts.

Dave Anderson, president of the Glasgow University branch of the UCU, said: “The implications for staff in these areas remain far from clear and we will be watching developments closely.

“We accept the university has had to contend with a 10% drop in public funding, but cost reductions have already addressed this and there is now no financial reason to cut jobs.

“The way the consultations have been handled has had a devastating impact on staff morale and demonstrates clearly the need for academic decisions to be made by academic bodies and not senior managers far removed from research and teaching.”

At Strathclyde, Bill Johnston, vice-president of the UCU branch, said: “This is a travesty of academic decision-making and if it can be done to humanities it can be done anywhere in the university. The Senate has set a dangerous precedent.”

Students from both universities, who held rallies against the cuts throughout the day, also spoke out.

Philip Whyte, president of the Strathclyde University Students’ Association, said: “This was a deal stitched up behind the scenes and rubber-stamped by a Senate that does a minimal job in providing academic direction.”

Tommy Gore, president of the Glasgow University Students’ Representative Council, said: “There are still concerns over adult education, nursing and Slavonic Studies. These subject areas still contribute hugely to the student experience.”

Dr Benjamin Franks, UCU representative and a lecturer in Social and Political Philosophy at Glasgow’s University’s Crichton Campus, said: “We’ll carry on fighting. Without the Liberal Arts degree, south-west Scotland will be without any arts or humanities programmes. We deserve better.”

However, Professor Anton Muscatelli, principal of Glasgow University, said the decisions made at Court meant the university was in a strong position.

He added: “The difficult decisions that have been addressed, coupled with the work that has been done to turn around our finances, means the future prospects for the continued excellence of the university are extremely promising.

“We will continue to provide a world-class learning and teaching environment, and look forward to the future development and success of the university with considerable optimism.”

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde University said: “The university’s academic community overwhelmingly endorsed plans designed to strengthen its Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. These proposals have been developed by academic leaders in Humanities and Social Sciences to ensure that Strathclyde continues to build its reputation for international excellence in these disciplines.

“The faculty’s plans will ensure resources are focused on existing areas of strength for the benefit of students, staff and the wider community.”

Sandra White, SNP MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, said: “Just last year Anton Muscatelli spoke of the importance of the programme to the future of the university and its international outlook.

“I am pleased the university has taken on board some of the concerns previously raised. However, this decision is a serious step backwards.”