More than 1,370 people have signed an online petition to save the single honours philosophy degree course

More than 1,370 people have signed an online petition to save the single honours philosophy degree course, which has been running for the past 20 years.

The university has decided not to recruit students for the course in 2011/12 but insists no decision has been made about the future of the programme.

Around 10 people are currently holding a protest ‘party’ with banners and a sound system outside the King William building on the Greenwich campus, while nine people are inside.

A spokeswoman for the Save Philosophy at Greenwich Campaign said: “We are occupying the building until it’s on the agenda for the academic planning meeting on May 5.

“If we are not on the agenda it will not be discussed and will just be pushed through.”

She added: “This is a last resort. We sent in a note saying we are occupying the building until our demands are met.”

A university spokeswoman said: "A small, good-humoured protest was held at the university today.

"As this is the Easter vacation, the campus is very quiet.

"Many staff are on holiday and students do not have lectures.

"A decision on this issue has already been taken at another committee and will be on the agenda for Academic Council, by way of a report, as a matter of routine.”

What the University of Greenwich said about axing the course

A University spokesman previously told News Shopper: “It is not true that we are to stop teaching philosophy at the University of Greenwich.

“Philosophy makes a valuable contribution to broad-based teaching in the school of humanities and social sciences, and we anticipate it will continue to do so.”

He added: “It is usual within universities for the range of subject provision to be reviewed from time to time.

“As part of this, a decision has been taken not to recruit to single honours philosophy in 2011-12.

“However, discussions are ongoing and a final decision about the future of the programme has not yet been taken.

“Irrespective of this decision, there is no question that combined honours philosophy courses will continue to be offered, and students from other disciplines will still be able to choose philosophy electives."