Since July 2024, available figures suggest around 680 full-time equivalent posts have left, or will leave, Dundee University.
Yesterday, Court have approved a new recovery plan, which details around £20m in annual cost reductions, raising fears of a further 250 job losses.
Staff have again voted for further strike action to “defend jobs and against possible compulsory redundancies” said DUCU co-chair Melissa D’Ascenzio.
Staff Loses since July 2024:
As detailed in a Holyrood submission paper, from July 2024 to October 2025, the university’s headcount fell by 560 over the period, while DUCU analysis puts the reduction at 489 full-time equivalent posts.
FTE is a way of measuring staff numbers by hours worked, rather than by how many individual people are employed.
The largest amount of individual staff left in September and October 2025, over 300, through the first round of voluntary severance.
DUCU estimate that a further 65 full time equivalent (FTE) staff have left since October 2025.
This total is not all through voluntary severance schemes (VSS). Other reasons may include retirements, resignations, and terminations.
It has been confirmed that in the most recent round of voluntary severance, 125.92 FTE roles have been approved.
Taken together, available figures suggest around 680 full-time equivalent posts have left through VSS, have been approved for redundancy, or have left for other reasons since summer 2024.
From Education Committee submissions and DUCU figures, it is estimated that a minimum of 425 FTE roles have left through VSS.
Data released by the university to the education committee shows that around 3,500 staff were employed in July 2024.
Although headcount and FTE are not directly comparable, the loss or planned removal of around 680 FTE posts is equivalent to about 20% of the total workforce.
The National report that 750 staff have left since November 2024.
Dundee UCU has said that despite the widespread cuts and support from the Scottish Government, the university has failed to rule out compulsory redundancies, while also burdening staff with increased workload as they step into the place of staff who have left.
More Cuts Approved:
Despite 680 FTE departing, or soon to, since summer 2024, Dundee University still requires around £20m in further annual cost reductions.
There are fears that around 250 jobs could be cut. Which could take the total loss to 1000 staff, equivalent to just under 30% of the July 2024 workforce.
Yesterday, the latest recovery plan was approved by University Court, which detailed £20m in savings.
Chair of Court Esther Roberton described yesterday’s meeting as a “lengthy and robust discussion”. It will now be submitted to the Scottish Funding Council, which must decide whether it meets the conditions attached to emergency support for the university.
If the SFC agrees that the strategy is consistent with those conditions, the next stage will include consultation with trade unions over proposed workforce changes.
The conditions of funding set by the SFC required the University to rule out compulsory redundancies until a three-year recovery plan is in place.
The three-year recovery plan has now been approved by Court. This means that if approved by the SFC, the University can carry out compulsory redundancies.
In her update, Robertson said:
“The Court acknowledged the lingering uncertainty and anxiety for staff, which has gone on for too long through this crisis.
“You all deserve clarity on the path forward, even though it involves some difficult decisions, and I hope you will have that soon.”
It has not yet been revealed how £20m will be saved.
Staff costs are the University’s biggest expenditure. Per anum, they are roughly £189.1 million, covering salaries, national insurance and pension contributions.
How may Students be Impacted?
The impact on students will depend on where the next £20m in savings falls.
The university has not yet set out which areas will be affected, but further staff reductions could have consequences for teaching, supervision, feedback, student support and course choice.
With hundreds of posts already lost or earmarked for redundancy, DUCU argue that remaining staff are being asked to absorb additional work, raising concerns about larger workloads, reduced contact time and delays in academic support.
As Dundee waits for the SFC to decide whether to approve the plan, staff and students now face another period of uncertainty over what will be cut, who will leave, and how much of the university’s teaching and support capacity will remain.
Sources:
https://www.thenational.scot/news/26182687.dundee-university-passes-20m-cuts-fears-grow-250-jobs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c14ylzkmr68o
https://www.parliament.scot/api/sitecore/CustomMedia/OfficialReport?meetingId=20045
https://www.parliament.scot/~/media/committ/12339/Paper-1_Universities-cover-note
February 2026, University of Dundee Financial Briefing.
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