Universities across the UK are facing a new wave of strike action as unions and senior leaders clash over deepening job cuts.

Staff at the University of Nottingham are preparing to strike for the second time this term, announcing a further 22 days of action before Christmas, in addition to the 20 days already taken.

The University and College Union (UCU) said that more than 650 staff posts have been cut by the institution over the past two years, and the university’s plans to push for a higher surplus could put a further 200 jobs at risk, primarily impacting teaching and research staff. 

Nottingham UCU branch president Lopa Leach, said: “Our ask is simple: no compulsory redundancies for 2025 and 2026.

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The university said it was disappointed by the announcement and had a plan to minimise disruption.

“The plan that UCU has proposed is not workable and would not put us in a financially sustainable position for the future. We continue to discuss alternative proposals and regularly engage with trade unions as part of our joint recognition agreement.”

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The city of Sheffield will also see 28 days of strike action over the next two months, as union members at both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University stage walkouts.

At Sheffield, where strikes are planned between 17 November and 12 December, the union said staff are objecting to management plans to shave £5 million off costs, putting jobs across five academic areas at risk of redundancy.

A spokesperson for the university said it had committed to not make any compulsory redundancies this calendar year and had offered to extend this until the end of April 2026.

“This is as a result of the careful and considered approach we are taking in response to the current challenges facing the higher education sector, including a reduction in income from international students.

“While UCU has chosen not to put this offer to its members and has announced plans for industrial action, we remain hopeful that this can be avoided through continuing our constructive dialogue.”

Meanwhile, at Sheffield Hallam, the union said that the university has refused to rule out compulsory redundancies, despite already having cut around 500 jobs in 2024 and a further 170 since May 2025.

A spokesperson for Hallam said that it had recently opened a consultation for a “targeted change process” in its College of Social Sciences and Arts, which proposed removing 18 roles, 10 of which are currently vacant. They added that the institution had had to make “tough decisions”, and “we will continue to seek to avoid compulsory redundancies where possible”.

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UCU general secretary Jo Grady said there was “no justification” for compulsory redundancies at Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam, “especially when there are other options available”.

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At the University of Leicester, UCU said staff were left “dismayed” after the university announced plans to put 150 jobs at risk, impacting staff from the schools of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Chemistry and History, Film Studies and Modern Languages.

Union members have already taken 15 days of strike action this term. The union alleged that striking staff were told they would have their pay reduced by a further 2.5 days if they refused to reschedule classes missed due to the earlier action.

A Leicester spokesperson said “out of respect for affected colleagues”, it would not discuss specific proposals publicly until after the first collective consultation meetings have taken place during the week commencing 3 November.

Union members at the University of Edinburgh have renewed their strike mandate, with 86 per cent of UCU members backing strike action on a turnout of 60 per cent, and a further 94 per cent supporting action short of strike. The branch said this could include a marking and assessment boycott or refusing to cover for absent colleagues.

Last year the university announced that it needed to cut £140 million from its budget, andEdinburgh UCU branch president Sophia Woodman said “the hard line” taken by the principal and senior managers had led to “increased disenchantment” among staff.

“It’s time for the principal to engage with staff and students, and to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies. The university can afford it and senior management’s continued refusal is doing nothing but extending this dispute and ensuring continued disruption for our students,” she said.

Peter Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor at Edinburgh, said that taking “decisive action now is the responsible approach to prevent far greater challenges in the future”.

The university was “engaging openly and listening to our community”, he added and sharing updates on “how we are identifying ways to reduce outgoings to sustainable levels, while continuing to deliver world-leading research and exceptional teaching”.

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“We have been transparent about the savings needed to secure our financial footing. These challenges are not unique to Edinburgh as institutions across the country are facing similar pressures,” said Mathieson.

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com