Eight UK universities already plan to strike over job cuts in the 2026/2027 academic year

Eight UK universities have already announced plans to strike in the 2026/2027 academic year – including three Russell Group universities. Here’s an update on which UK universities are striking in autumn 2026.

University of Dundee

After a long-running dispute over budget cuts and compulsory redundancies, Dundee staff will strike on weekdays during the first five weeks of term, from 21st September to 23rd October. The University of Dundee culled 675 jobs through voluntary redundancy schemes since November 2024, then in June announced plans to cut another 200 positions.

 

 

 

 

 

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The interim vice-chancellor, Professor Nigel Seaton, told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast: “We have been in the worst financial crisis to affect any British university at least since the Second World War.”

“We’re committed to ensuring the university recovers from this very deep financial crisis,” he said, “and unfortunately, very regrettably, we can’t afford to pay the level of staff for the level of staffing we have now.”

University of Edinburgh

Strike action by Edinburgh Uni’s main library in November 2025

Edinburgh staff took park in a marking and assessment boycott this summer, and will strike on weekdays from 28th September to 30th October. The Edinburgh branch of the UCU say the industrial action is over “a long-running dispute over £140 million cuts and 1,800 job losses” and “the refusal of management to rule out compulsory redundancies”.

After the union voted to strike, the University of Edinburgh announced it will scrap 90 degree programmes from autumn 2027.

The vice-chancellor Sir Peter Mathieson said: “We are extremely disappointed that, despite ongoing discussions, the University and College Union has given notification of five weeks’ strike action, which will unfairly and deliberately target students’ first semester of the academic year.”

University of Essex

Professional services staff – such as administrative workers and IT technicians – will walk out on 21st September, the day of the University of Essex Court Annual Meeting. Staff are protesting the uni’s ongoing plan to save £24 million by cutting 400 jobs.

University of Exeter

Reed Hall at the University of Exeter

On 9th September, the UCU announced that 91 per cent of members who participated in a ballot had voted for industrial action. Exeter Uni staff have yet to set dates for strikes.

The University of Exeter aims to cut 200 staff. According to the UCU, more than eight out of 10 academics in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences could be at risk of losing their jobs.

Glasgow Caledonian University

 

 

 

 

 

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Support staff will strike on 21st September, 22nd September, 32rd September, and 11 days in October. Protestors will form a picket line outside the campus’s main entrance.

Glasgow Caledonian University aims to make £10 million in savings over the next year, and has put 100 jobs at risk.

A spokesperson for the university said: “We are disappointed that our campus trade union members have voted to strike. The University is experiencing a significant reduction in recurring income, and alongside the challenging and unpredictable financial climate, it would be irresponsible for the University to draw on our reserves as the unions suggest.”

Heriot-Watt University

Staff at this university in Edinburgh went on strike on 14th and 15th September. Union members are concerned about job losses in the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies and on the Scholar programme for schools.

University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham, and some geese

After striking last year, and a marking boycott this summer, Nottingham Uni staff will strike for another 67 days this autumn. UCU members will strike on 30th September and 1st October, then continue with “sustained strike action” between 5th October and 11th December.

Staff are concerned about the proposals for the Future Nottingham programme. The university has suggested restructuring academic departments and closing particular courses. None of the plans are certain yet – the University of Nottingham is expected to make the final decisions this autumn.

A spokesperson for the university said: “While we recognise employees’ right to take industrial action, we are disappointed by the timing of this, which could impact new and returning students at the start of the academic year.”

University of Sussex

 

 

 

 

 

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On 14th August, the UCU announced that members had voted for strike action “over management’s threat to cut 200 jobs in plans to save £35 million a year”. Staff have yet to confirm dates for strike action.

Strikes are possible at other UK universities

The Birmingham branch of the UCU will vote on whether they should strike over proposed redundancies. According to the UCU, five members of translation and interpreting staff may lose their jobs.

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