(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Four programmes at the capital’s Edinburgh Futures Institute(EFI) are set to close, The Herald understands.
Edinburgh University describes EFI as an “innovation hub driving interdisciplinary research, teaching and entrepreneurship”.
A source told The Herald that affected staff at the former Royal Infirmary building on Lauriston Place were informed about the closures on Tuesday, and that a public announcement is expected on Wednesday or Thursday.
A Edinburgh University spokesperson confirmed that the institution had decided to "close four programmes within the Edinburgh Futures Institute to new entrants from the 2027-28 academic year".
"The decision to close future entry does not affect students currently enrolled on these programmes," the spokesperson added.
EFI opened to the public in the summer of 2024. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
The closures come in the wake of programme closures in the university’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Last month, The Herald revealed that 90 programmes would be 'taught out' over the next several years, with no new students being accepted from 2027.
Currently, EFI offers one undergraduate and 11 postgraduate programmes, as well as an array of executive education courses and research clusters.
According to the university, EFI also hosts more than 250 people from 33 organisations and more than 300 people from 17 research centres.
The institute, which opened to the public in June 2024, was officially opened by Princess Anne in April 2025.
At the time, EFI director Professor Marion Thain praised the university’s commitment to the institute’s success.
“After years of collective work, Edinburgh Futures Institute’s home at the Old Royal Infirmary has become a reality,” she said.
“The University has created an inspiring space that will change how we tackle the big questions of the future by bringing together students and staff from across the arts, humanities and the sciences to work with external partners for the benefit of societies across the world.”
News of the closures comes as members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the institution are in the midst of five weeks of strike action.
On Monday, The Herald revealed the contents of an email sent by university principal Sir Peter Mathieson to a student calling on him to resign.
The student had cc’ed regional MSPs and university staff into their initial email, all of whom received Sir Peter’s reply.
It is unclear if the principal intended for them to do so.
“Whilst I very much agree with you that ‘staff and student voices matter’, it is important that those voices are well-informed by the facts and grounded in a real-world analysis,” the chief executive told the student in a frank exchange.
“I am puzzled to know what part of the concept of affordability you don't understand,” Sir Peter added.
Sir Peter Mathieson. (Image: Paul Dodds)
“Maybe you live in a world where the cost doesn't matter or where there is no need to be concerned about the future, about sustainability or resilience, or about whether there is enough income to justify and support expenditure.
“The University of Edinburgh does not live in such a world.
Sir Peter went on to say: “[Provost] Kim Graham and I, along with huge numbers of subject experts and committed colleagues, are leading the tough decisions that responsible leaders need to take.
“We are ensuring the future of this great university so that future generations of people like you can benefit in the way that you and your contemporaries have.”
Read More:
- Beleaguered Edinburgh University chief Sir Peter Mathieson to leave institution
- Full list of the 90 programmes earmarked for closure at leading Scottish university
- Email reveals what Peter Mathieson really thinks about university programme closures
EFI currently offers 11 postgraduate programmes, including a Circular Economy MSc, Creative Industries MSc, Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics MSc, Data, Inequality and Society MSc, Education Futures MSc, Future Governance MSc, Future Infrastructure, Climate Change and Sustainability MSc, Narrative Futures: Art, Data, Society MSc, Planetary Health MSc, Service Management and Design MSc and Sustainable Lands and Cities MSc.
It also offers an undergraduate MA (Hons) in Interdisciplinary Futures.
An Edinburgh University spokesperson said: "Like other institutions, Edinburgh undertakes regular evidence-based reviews of its academic portfolio to make sure it is aligned with student demand, a constantly evolving job market and that they can delivered and supported sustainably.
“Protecting our world-leading reputation and excellence in research and teaching at a time of sustained financial pressure across the university sector is critical, and it requires conscious and sometimes difficult choices.
"Proposals have followed our robust governance processes and we remain committed to sharing information and supporting our community throughout these changes.”