About 20 academic jobs could go as Otago University has confirmed it intends to cut back five humanities departments.
Otago University's Humanities departments are facing cutbacks. Photo: Wikipedia
The university's humanities division is struggling with a drop of more than 1000 students in the past five years.
Otago University pro-vice chancellor of Humanities Tony Ballantyne. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
This afternoon it confirmed the departments facing cuts were History, English, Music, Languages and Cultures, and Anthropology and Archaeology.
The university also said its College of Education would face further cuts next year, and three other departments were on watch.
Humanities pro-vice chancellor Tony Ballantyne said he did not know how many redundancies would be be needed this year, but roughly 15 to 20 positions was realistic.