Students must finish their courses elsewhere

Financial pressures led to the "extremely difficult" decision, the university's senior management said.

The proposal to close the department was accepted by the university's executive governing body on Tuesday.

The university says it was committed to helping students and staff with their future studies and careers.

Reading...has to direct its limited resources to academic areas where there is a realistic potential for excellence University of Reading spokesperson

A spokesperson said: "The university is committed to doing all that it can to help and advise music staff and students in light of the circumstances, to establish what is the best course of action for all concerned.

"The university's senior management is keen to stress that the decision was an extremely difficult one and not one that was taken lightly."

All possible proposals for enabling the continuation of the music department were explored, the spokesperson said.

"Unfortunately, none was found to be realistically workable," they said.

"Given the tough financial situation all universities are currently enduring, Reading, like many institutions, has to direct its limited resources to academic areas where there is a realistic potential for excellence."

Despite the closure, the university is considering appointing a director of music to ensure musical activities continue to form a part of academic life.