DESPITE the valiant efforts of students in their fight to keep their inclusive degree, Reading University have announced it will terminate the course.

Yesterday, students of the Theatre Arts, Education and Deaf Studies course, protested in a bid to keep their one-of-a- kind course which allows deaf and hearing students to study drama, theatre and the skills required in teaching and leadership roles within a total communication environment.

Third year student, Sophie Mendham, started a petition to save the course which garnered more than 1700 signatures in less than a week.  

The University of Reading has today confirmed it will phase out the BA Theatre, Education and Deaf Studies (TAEDS) by summer 2018, following a detailed, careful review.

The University will now introduce a BA Education in autumn 2017 for up to 60 students, where elements of the TAEDS course will be available for students to study.

A Reading University spokesman said: "This is not a decision taken lightly. It is right that the University reviews the strengths and weaknesses of all its courses regularly, given we are operating in a very tough, competitive sector.

“TAEDS is a well-regarded course within the deaf community, with hard-working staff and students. Despite investment and restructuring over the years, it continues to face significant challenges, in particular poor ongoing recruitment.

“All current TAEDS undergraduates will be able to complete their existing course at Reading over the next three years. We do not anticipate that there will redundancies. We are providing support and advice for students and staff."

More to follow on this story.