Decision

The Council resolved:-

(i)             to recognise the vital role that Aberdeen’s two universities play in the educational, cultural, social and economic life of the city. Major changes within the universities are not simply matters for the institutions themselves, but have significant consequences for Aberdeen’s economy, communities and future prosperity;

(ii)           to note with serious concern the proposed cuts by the University of Aberdeen to many postgraduate courses and more than 100 jobs. These proposals come on top of approximately 440 jobs lost across Aberdeen’s universities between 2023 and 2025 and a further 188 jobs lost at Robert Gordon University in 2025. The cumulative loss of hundreds of highly skilled jobs represents a major blow to the city’s economy, risks damaging Aberdeen’s reputation as a centre of research and higher education and reduces opportunities for current and future students;

(iii)          to note that the financial pressures facing Scotland’s universities are due to falling income and rising costs. Aberdeen City Council is facing similar rising costs, the successful model of our universities has relied on their international reputation;

(iv)          to agree that the changes in UK visa rules made by successive UK governments have caused a significant drop in international students, a major source of income for our universities who were prior to this encouraged to enter global competition and to enhance their reputation at home and abroad; and

(v)           to therefore instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister to support both the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University by removing any restrictions imposed on UK universities to attract students from far and wide.