Aberdeen University extends deadline for redundancy scheme

The University of Aberdeen has extended its voluntary severance scheme as it continues to search for millions of pounds in financial savings.

It reopened the scheme in April this year to try to help save £5.5m.

At the time it said it had made progress but needed to make more savings and described the measures being taken as “regrettable but necessary”.

In an update to staff, management said the window for those interested in voluntary severance or enhanced retirement – originally due to close in June – had now been extended until September.

A spokesperson said the university was “cautiously optimistic” it had achieved about £4m of savings.

“Further cost savings and income generation are still needed as our three-year financial plan requires the university to break even by 2028,” they added.

The university’s future was described as being in “significant doubt” in its annual report in May last year.

Uncertainties such as rising costs and falling numbers of international students were highlighted.

However, the university has stressed that the report was setting out the potential risk if action had not been taken, and that it was now on a firm financial footing.

The Scottish government said that, along with Scottish Funding Council, it would continue to engage closely with the sector as universities – including Aberdeen – “develop their plans to address financial sustainability”.

The University and College Union has described it as an “extremely worrying time” for staff at the university.