MORE than 300 lecturers on strike at Edinburgh University rallied at Holyrood today as they continue their battle against £140 million cuts.

Despite the institution being Britain’s third-richest behind Oxford and Cambridge, as many as 1,800 jobs remain at risk and hundreds of staff have already left the institution as management undertakes the biggest cuts plan in the history of Scottish higher education.

The rally outside Parliament comes at the end of a three-day strike, after the union won overwhelming support for a renewed mandate to strike last month.

Edinburgh University UCU branch president, Sophia Woodman said: “With hundreds of staff having already left, some pushed out, and thousands more worried for their future, university senior management need to finally do the right thing; commit to no compulsory redundancies; and accept the union’s open offer of meaningful talks with a view to ending the dispute.  

“Unless and until they do, the threat of more strikes, more disruption and a marking and assessment boycott will hang over the university.

“Students know exactly who’s to blame.”

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh said: “We have recently put forward a fair and carefully considered offer.

“This includes a proposal, in line with UCUE’s request, that there would be no compulsory redundancies through our cost-saving programme before July 2026.

“At a time when responsible action is required to safeguard our University’s future, we stand ready to continue negotiations with UCUE and reach a sustainable solution.”