ABERDEEN University’s governing Court backed a £10 million cuts plan today that could axe as many as 111 jobs.

The Court insisted the institution faces a “stark” challenge to break even by 2028 and would reduce headcount through voluntary means in the first instance.

A voluntary severance and enhanced retirement scheme will be offered from next week, but the university has refused to rule out compulsory redundancies.

Principal and vice-chancellor Professor Peter Edwards said: “Scottish universities have never been more challenged.

“Decisive action is needed to protect the future of our university and allow us to return to a more stable footing to grow and succeed in a way that meets the needs of the communities we serve.”

The announcement is the latest blow in a sector already awash with job cuts and comes just months after higher education union UCU took strike action at the university to defend jobs.

UCU’s Aberdeen branch co-chair Dan Cutts said: “This is absolutely devastating for the workforce.        

“There is a lot of anger, distress and worry amongst our members, who have been working tirelessly to support their students.  

“Our members are baffled as to why senior management are choosing to make these drastic job cuts when the university’s financial situation has improved and they report we are in surplus.          

“Management’s plans are illogical and will be damaging to the student experience here at Aberdeen University. Our union will be fighting back.”

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said that the union’s members at Aberdeen “have already demonstrated their strong opposition to this slash and burn approach.     

“We know our members will continue to challenge more job cuts and we urge the employer to find more sustainable solutions rather than further job losses.”