The University of Nottingham has announced plans to cut more than 600 academic and support posts, warning it could run out of money by 2031. The institution sent letters to 2,700 staff on Tuesday, notifying them their roles are at risk of redundancy.
The cuts are part of a cost-saving drive affecting subjects with low staff-to-student ratios, including physics, medicine and health sciences. The university, a Russell Group member, blames a funding squeeze and a slump in international student numbers.
The University and College Union (UCU) opposes the redundancies, arguing the £85m deficit stems from the failed Castle Meadow campus expansion and previous redundancy costs. UCU members have passed a vote of no confidence in Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane Norman and backed a marking boycott.
Professor Andreas Bieler, UCU branch vice-president, said: 'We would argue that there are a lot of homemade problems... their financial strategy of always turning surpluses directly into investment into new buildings has kept the university on the edge.'
A university spokesperson said: 'We know that change of this scale is not easy... But doing nothing is not an option. Like many universities across the UK and globally, we face significant financial challenges.'
Staff warn the cuts will harm the university's reputation and ability to recruit students. Professor Lopa Leach, UCU branch president, said: 'The loss of so many academics and technicians will exacerbate further our research and teaching.'
