Dundee University job cuts reduced but 154 roles still to go

Job cuts at Dundee University have been reduced, but 154 roles are still set to be made redundant.

More than 600 people have lost their jobs since the institution began cost-cutting in August 2024, but the institution said that it still needed to make savings of over £20m.

A proposal was launched in June to cut around 187 roles, but this has since been cut to 154 jobs following a ten-week consultation process.

Individual staff members will be told on Tuesday whether their roles remain at risk following the consultation.

In an email sent to staff on Tuesday morning, the university said its priority is to “mitigate compulsory redundancies” and is hopeful the roles can be cut through its voluntary process.

However, compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out. The voluntary redundancy scheme will open to members of staff on Wednesday.

The university also confirmed that 38 new roles have been created as part of its restructure, which it said will present “potential opportunities for redeployment” for staff members at risk of redundancy.

An email sent to staff confirmed: “The original proposals for change envisaged a reduction of 187 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) roles. Following collective consultation, this has reduced to 154 FTEs.

“In addition, there are 38 new roles created as part of the restructure, and these will present potential opportunities for redeployment for some colleagues at risk of redundancy.”

Strike dates from next month are planned STV News

Those affected by the new job cuts met with their faculty vice principal and director on Tuesday morning for an update, to confirm if they are at risk of redundancy or have been matched to a role.

Staff at the university are planning to strike for over five weeks, disrupting the start of the new academic year.

Members are set to strike each weekday from September 21 until October 23, marking the first five weeks of the new academic year.

Last year, the Scottish Government announced it would give Dundee University up to £40m over the next three financial years to help stabilise its finances.

The bailout was in addition to the £22m that the Scottish Government previously provided in March to keep the university going when the financial crisis was first revealed.

Education secretary Mairi McAllan said last month that further evidence was needed to demonstrate the institution was “engaging with staff and trade unions”.

The university email added: “We remain hopeful that the role reductions can be achieved through voluntary means, however if we do not have sufficient volunteers we will regrettably have to make selection decisions for CR and it is important that colleagues are aware of what criteria would be used.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Funding Council said: “Staffing decisions are a matter for individual universities and colleges. However, there are robust conditions that apply to the funding provided to the University of Dundee to support its return to a position of financial health.

“These conditions include some relating to redundancy to provide reassurance that public investment will support the long-term future of the University of Dundee and minimise the impact on students.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.