‘Your degree is next’: Protesters criticise Edinburgh University’s budget cuts

Protestors have criticised the University of Edinburgh’s proposed budget cuts.

Demonstrators have took to circulating posters across the university’s campus, with one poster slogan saying: “Your degree is next”.

This comes after the the institution announced “nothing is off the table” regarding staff and budget cuts.

The posters, which have been found in Potterrow and the Main Library, contain a QR code outlining the campaign’s complaints to the university and urging people to get involved.

The online document sent out by the campaigners states that the University of Edinburgh has “cut heating from 9am to 5pm” and has “been increasing student numbers per tutorial group while reducing the number of tutorial groups per course.” It also claims that the university has “started firing catering staff and shutting down school cafes.”

Additional posters “grading” a controversial email sent to staff in February by Peter Mathieson. In this email, the vice-chancellor spoke to staff about the significant funding gap the university faces, and according to the UCU, this is where he explained “nothing is off the table”.

The email further informed staff about extending the deadline for voluntary redundancies and alluded to potential school closures and course restructuring. The “grading” poster also stated that the email’s “weakness lies in its false and unsubstantiated claims.” and said that “Edinburgh University continues to make a profit, thus has no reason for severance”.

Following outrage from students, staff and the University and College Union (UCU) regarding Sir Peter’s email, the university sent a follow up email to students and staff on the 25th of February.

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The email, sent out by Colm Harmon (Vice-Principal, Students) and Lucy Evans (Deputy Secretary, Students) stated: “Action now will ensure that the university can continue to deliver world-leading education and research for generations to come.”

It also explained that the university will “see changes in how we deliver our degree programmes over time” and that “we may see some courses that are not proving popular with students being removed from our schedule to ensure that our colleagues can focus their attention in other areas of teaching”.

The principal has said that the university is seeking £140 million in savings and said that “radical university wide actions, which will lead to a smaller staff base and lower operating costs” are needed to ensure a “sustainable reduction” in costs to help the institution cope with falling income and higher bills.

The UCU responded to this calling the news “shocking” and said it would harm the university’s reputation.

A spokesperson for the University of Edinburgh told The Edinburgh Tab: “As part of our objectives to reduce carbon emissions and operating costs, we have undertaken a review of the heating and ventilation systems in our buildings. Any changes to settings have been made within acceptable ranges for our community’s comfort, with respect to building opening hours and temperatures.

“We want our students to have the best experience possible during their studies. Tutorials and seminars may vary in size between teaching programmes and at levels which support meaningful group discussion while maintaining valuable contact time with tutors.  

“Our current catering provision was planned in 2024 and shared with our Students’ Union. The rationalisation of outlets was made to increase choice and avoid duplication of provision in nearby locations, while supporting our sustainability goals. Staff working in affected outlets have been reassigned to other catering locations.”