Finance and governance
We have been supported by the Scottish Government which, through the Scottish Funding Council, has committed additional funding of up to £62million, over the years 2025, 2026 and 2027 to stabilise our finances while we make the University financially sustainable.
There remain significant financial challenges across the Higher Education sector as a whole, as well as the issues which were specific to our University. Overcoming those macro and micro challenges, and becoming a University fit to last into the future will require substantial change to our model of operation, which we know will be demanding for all those involved.
We are here to meet that challenge, for the benefit of our students, our staff, and the wider community of Dundee, to secure the future of this venerable institution as we approach our 60th anniversary in 2027 and beyond.
How we're addressing our financial challenges
Our Strategy to Recovery sets out our course to becoming a financially sustainable institution by 2027-28.
We need to become a more appropriately balanced and financially sustainable institution, so that we can continue to deliver in our key areas of academic strength in education, research and knowledge exchange and remain integral to the economic, social and cultural well-being of the city, our region and beyond.
In addition to significantly reducing our staff costs, we have taken urgent action to control costs, for example a recruitment freeze and tight controls on all operating expenses, and have continued to substantially reduce the deficit.
We are committed to ensuring the success of the University now and into the future and we will remain an attractive destination for students from Scotland and across the world, offering an outstanding student experience.
Governance and accountability
The University gave its full support to the independent investigation into the circumstances leading to the financial crisis. This investigation was Chaired by former Principal of Glasgow Caledonian University Professor Pamela Gillies following her appointment by the Scottish Funding Council, who sponsored the investigation.
The Gillies Report was published on 19 June and the University’s Action Plan in response to the report was published on 13 August 2025. One outcome, encouraged by the findings in the Gillies Report, has been the wholesale change of our leadership, with an entirely new University Executive Group, a new Chair of Court, and a significant number of new Court members. We are now engaged in the recruitment process for a new substantive Principal and Vice-Chancellor to lead the organisation.
We responded to the Gillies Report with an Action plan which mirrored the findings and recommendations within the Report across four key areas:
- Financial Reporting and Financial Management
- Governance and Oversight
- Culture and Leadership
- Listening to the University Community
Actions were set against a timeline of short-, medium-, and longer-term completion, and there were over 60 in total. Significant progress has and continues to be made towards delivering these actions, and we are incorporating those yet to be completed into the action plan aligned to the Strategy to Recovery.
Strategic Advisory Taskforce
The Scottish Government in April 2025 established an independent taskforce, chaired by former Dundee Principal Sir Alan Langland, to advise the University, Scottish Funding Council, key civic and business partners and Scottish Government Ministers on our recovery and the role we will play locally and nationally.
The Taskforce identified the University’s many strengths while recognising the challenges we face as we begin our recovery.