FURNITURE courses are on a list of nine degrees being axed by Buckinghamshire New University.

BNU said it is dropping two of its undergraduate furniture courses in the summer - BA (Hons) Furniture and the FDA Furniture: Conservation, Restoration and Decorative Arts courses.

The university said five engineering degrees, the BA (Hons) 3D Contemporary Crafts and Products and the BA (Hons) Fine Art courses will also be ditched at the end of the current cycle.

Staff redundancies are also expected to be made, the university confirmed today.

A BFP reader called the decision “another nail in the coffin of High Wycombe as a centre of excellence for furniture manufacture in the UK.”

But the High Wycombe-based university said The National School of Furniture will continue and it is “actively recruiting” to a new foundation degree.

Postgraduate furniture courses will also continue into the new academic year to ensure “High Wycombe's historical connection with the furniture industry will remain”, BNU said in a statement.

The university added: “The decision has not been taken lightly.

“But, by ceasing to recruit to these courses we can refocus efforts on areas which meet the demands of students and employers and on further improvements to our campuses and student experience for the benefit of all.

"There will regrettably be a small number of staff who will be directly affected by the outcome of today’s announcement, and the university will work closely with these people and our recognised unions to ensure the most satisfactory outcome for all concerned."

Almost 1500 people have already signed up to a Facebook group campaigning for the university to reverse its decision.

The BFP has also received emails from readers who are fearful about the effect BNU’s decision will have on Wycombe’s proud furniture heritage.

The following courses will not be avaliable to new students of Bucks New University from summer 2014:

BA (Hons) 3D Contemporary Crafts & Products
BA (Hons) Fine Art (FT and PT)

BEng Mechanical Engineering Design
BSc Engineering Management (FT and PT)
HNC Mechanical Engineering Design
MEng Mechanical Engineering Design
MSc Engineering Design and Management

BA (Hons) Furniture
FdA Furniture: Conservation, Restoration and Decorative Arts (FT and PT)