UTS academics describe ‘culture of fear’ as enrolments put on hold for nearly a fifth of courses

Many staff at the University of Technology Sydney are wondering if their job will be among hundreds to be cut. Photograph: Graham Jepson/Alamy

Academics at the University of Technology Sydney have described feelings of stress and a “culture of fear” after the educational institution temporarily paused student enrolments for nearly a fifth of its courses, leaving staff wondering if their jobs will be among the hundreds set to be axed.

The university has stopped taking in new students for 120 of its 615 courses, including masters degrees in teaching primary and secondary education. More than 50 of the affected courses were international study options attached to other degrees. The pause will last until the end of the autumn 2026 semester.