Aberdeen University Plans to Trim Courses and Workforce in Response to Financial Shortfall

Financial Pressures Lead University of Aberdeen to Rethink Course Offerings and Staffing

Universities worldwide have been struggling with financial challenges due to several unavoidable factors, including declining government funding, rising operational costs, and shifting student enrollment trends. Additionally, changes in visa policies have led to a reduction in international student numbers, further straining revenue streams. Research grants, which often fail to cover full costs, have exacerbated the financial difficulties faced by institutions. As a result, universities have been forced to implement various cost-saving measures, such as discontinuing less popular courses, limiting staff recruitment, and modifying research funding, all of which pose risks to academic diversity and long-term innovation.

Amid these challenges, the University of Aberdeen has announced plans to reassess its course offerings. It was reported that subjects with lower enrollment numbers could face cuts as part of an effort to address a £5.5 million budget shortfall, which accounts for approximately 2% of the university’s total revenue. In response to financial pressures, the university disclosed that staff recruitment would largely be halted, voluntary redundancies would be considered, and a minor workforce reduction was anticipated. Additionally, changes to its degree programmes were being explored, as certain courses were noted to have fewer than five students enrolled, raising concerns regarding their sustainability.

The university further conveyed that voluntary severance and enhanced retirement packages would be extended to academic staff in specific disciplines, potentially leading to a slight decrease in workforce numbers. However, concerns were raised by the University of Aberdeen’s Students' Union (AUSA), with Vice President Miles Rothoerl suggesting that students had already begun to feel the impact of these financial constraints. He reportedly warned that the situation would deteriorate without urgent intervention, criticising the university funding system as ineffective.

Meanwhile, the Scottish government and the Scottish Funding Council assured that they would continue collaborating with universities, including Aberdeen, to help ensure financial stability. The University and College Union (UCU) expressed unease over the lack of staff consultation regarding voluntary severance and job cuts. Mary Senior, a union representative, reportedly voiced particular concern for employees working in targeted areas, questioning why job losses appeared to disproportionately affect a limited number of academic schools when the university was supposed to function as a broader academic community.

Last year’s annual report from the University of Aberdeen reportedly warned that rising costs and declining international student numbers had placed the university’s future in “significant doubt” due to “material uncertainty.” However, officials later clarified that the report was intended to highlight potential risks rather than indicate imminent financial collapse, reassuring that the university had since secured a firmer financial footing.

Similar concerns have surfaced at other institutions. At the University of Edinburgh, around 350 staff members reportedly accepted voluntary redundancy as part of cost-cutting measures. Principal Sir Peter Mathieson allegedly informed employees through an official letter that academic promotions would be suspended for the 2025–26 period. Additionally, it was noted that the university aimed to reduce expenses by £140 million, though some unions argued that the crisis had been artificially created. Staff members were reportedly being surveyed to determine their willingness to take strike action, with voting open until 20 May.

Elsewhere, the University of Dundee has been working to resolve a £35 million deficit, having reportedly revised its earlier warning of 700 potential job losses to approximately 300. Meanwhile, lecturers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen were said to be striking in response to redundancies. Overall, financial uncertainty continues to shape institutional strategies, with universities seeking cost-cutting solutions to remain viable, despite concerns over the impact on academic sustainability and staff welfare.

Editor’s Note:

The growing financial crisis in higher education has pushed many universities to adopt cost-cutting measures, such as staff reductions, course closures, and recruitment freezes. While these steps provide immediate relief, they also pose risks to academic diversity, research output, and student experience. A balanced approach is necessary—one that protects institutional integrity while addressing financial concerns. Simply reducing workforce numbers or eliminating programmes may weaken universities in the long run, making them less competitive and innovative. Some universities have successfully navigated financial difficulties with strategic planning and diversified revenue streams. For example, the University of Oxford and Harvard University have strengthened their financial resilience through endowment management and strategic partnerships. Institutions like the University of Melbourne have invested in industry collaboration, creating sustainable funding models. These universities show that financial stability requires innovation, not just reductions. To overcome current financial challenges, universities should consider long-term strategies, including securing more private and government funding, improving operational efficiency, and expanding online education offerings. Encouraging research-commercialisation partnerships and attracting international students through scholarship incentives can also support sustainability. 

Skoobuzz firmly believes that rather than focusing solely on cost-cutting, institutions must prioritise solutions that maintain academic excellence while ensuring financial health.