The University of Dundee will cut 190 additional jobs to achieve roughly £20m in annual savings, most of which will come from staff costs. The university has already made about 675 voluntary redundancies and faces a potential £30m deficit first reported in November 2024. A June 2025 Gillies Report criticised leadership failures and led to senior resignations; the university says it prefers voluntary redundancies and has begun consultation with unions.
University of Dundee to Cut 190 More Jobs as It Seeks £20m in Annual Savings
Members of the University and College Union Scotland have repeatedly carried out strike action in the last year [BBC]
The University of Dundee has announced plans to cut a further 190 roles as it seeks to save about £20 million a year, largely from staffing costs. The move comes after the institution already reduced its workforce by roughly 675 through voluntary redundancies and follows repeated warnings about a mounting financial shortfall.
Financial Context and Recent History
The university first flagged a potential £30m deficit in November 2024. A subsequent independent inquiry — the Gillies Report, published in June 2025 — criticised university leadership and governance for failing to identify and act on the deteriorating financial position. The report prompted the resignation of interim principal Prof Shane O'Neill and two senior governors.
What The University Says
Prof Nigel Seaton, interim principal and vice-chancellor, told staff those at risk of redundancy were being informed on the day of the announcement after a brief meeting. He said the university has already made progress in cutting non-staff spending but that there is a limit to further savings in that area.
“We will make further reductions in non-staff spending, but the greater part of the additional saving will have to come from staff costs,” Prof Seaton said. He added that the university hopes to achieve most reductions through voluntary redundancy and that proposed changes are subject to consultation and may be amended.
Union Response and Industrial Action
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) have staged 28 days of strike action over the past year in protest at cuts. Union members recently voted again in favour of strike action after the mandate from a previous ballot expired. The UCU has warned that senior management has not ruled out compulsory redundancies in the future.
Government Support and Expectations
Last year the Scottish Government provided £40m in emergency funding to stabilise the institution; ministers at the time said the money would likely limit job losses to about 300. Nonetheless, the university has told Holyrood's education committee that further redundancies beyond that estimate remain possible and that additional savings are required for long-term sustainability.
Next Steps
The university has opened a period of collective consultation with campus unions to discuss proposed organisational changes, implementation plans and the potential impact on roles across the institution. Prof Seaton said the aim is to protect the university’s core teaching and research functions while ensuring it remains financially viable.
Impact: The announced proposals will affect staff and could have knock-on effects for students and research programmes, depending on the final structure agreed after consultation.
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