Dundee University has announced that almost 200 more jobs could be cut to ensure the institution's survival. The university has already eliminated 645 posts through two rounds of voluntary redundancy after uncovering a £35 million financial black hole. Now, bosses say an additional £20 million must be saved, with 190 jobs at risk, evenly split between teaching and professional services.
Interim Principal Acknowledges Impact
Interim principal Professor Nigel Seaton, brought in after the previous leadership team was diminished by scandal, admitted the situation would be "awful" for those affected but stressed the necessity of the cuts to save the university. In a statement, he said: "We have informed staff that we are moving into collective consultation on proposals to reduce staffing by around 190 posts, split equally across our academic and professional services communities. Staff who are at risk of redundancy are being informed today."
Previous Measures and Progress
Over the past 18 months, the university has taken vigorous action, including voluntary severance, tighter financial controls, frozen non-essential recruitment, and limited operational expenditure. Staff numbers fell by 675 between August 2024 and May 2026. The university also received essential support from the Scottish Government via the Scottish Funding Council. However, further annual savings of around £20 million are needed to achieve financial sustainability.
Non-Staff Spending Cuts Limited
Professor Seaton noted progress in cutting non-staff spending but said there is a limit to how much further that can go, requiring staffing reductions. He emphasized that the 190 job cuts are a proposal and that the aim is to achieve reductions through voluntary redundancy wherever possible.
"I am very conscious of the very difficult – actually, awful – experience that staff have gone through since our financial crisis was acknowledged," Seaton added. "If there were any other way to secure the future of the University without carrying out the change we have outlined, we would take it. But we must go through this to ensure that the University survives and continues to do great things for our students, research beneficiaries, and society."
