Teesside University wants 27 staff to take voluntary redundancy

A university is reducing teaching staff due to a drop in the number of international students signing up for its courses.

Teesside University wants 27 academic staff to take on voluntary redundancies after new visa rules introduced at the start of the year saw student numbers fall on some degree courses.

Dr Terry Murphy, from the University and College Union (UCU), said Teesside should use smaller classes to improve the quality of teaching rather than “maximise profit”.

The university said it is reviewing how it works to be more efficient and provide “value for money”.

The number of international students studying in the UK has fallen following the introduction of rules on January 1 which prevent family members from accompanying them to the UK.

Dr Murphy said the university wanted to reduce roles in its business and English language departments due to the low number of international students.

He said the union had been told that if the 27 voluntary redundancies were not met, the university had warned it could introduce compulsory redundancies in January.

Dr Murphy said Teesside University was in a good financial position – making a profit of £40m last year and holding reserves of £260m – and should focus on improving teaching rather than cutting staff.

“If the number of students is down, especially overseas students, then the staff has to be used to provide more teaching, smaller classes and better quality to existing students,” he said.

“Teesside has never had a mandatory redundancy package in its entire existence and we don’t think now is the time to start.”

A spokesman for Teesside University said despite its “strong financial position” it was working to “mitigate an increasingly challenging financial environment”.

“We are reviewing our operating models and costs, identifying efficiencies and ensuring we continue to deliver value for money,” the spokesperson said.

“This includes the option of voluntary redundancies in a small number of school districts, where student numbers have fallen.”