Aberdeen could cut 111 jobs as it seeks £10 million in savings

More than 100 academic jobs are set to be lost at the University of Aberdeen after a £10 million saving plan was approved.

Announcing the cuts shortly after a university court meeting on 28 May, vice-chancellor Peter Edwards said “decisive action is needed to protect the future of our university” despite recent cost-cutting measures, including a recruitment and promotion pause and a voluntary severance scheme launched last year.

While the university is forecasting a £4 million surplus for the end of the financial year, “much of this is due to one-off savings and income which cannot be relied on to occur again” and “mask the underlying structural deficit”, explains Edwards in an email to staff which was co-authored by senior governor Gary McRae.

“To meet the target set by court to break even by 2028, court agreed a £10 million savings plan to ensure financial stability, eradicate annual uncertainty, and generate surpluses for investment,” the email says.

Based on current modelling some 111 full-time equivalent (FTE) academic posts could be lost under the plan, it continues.