Ulster University plans to make up to 450 staff redundant. Vice-chancellor Prof Paul Bartholomew informed staff of the proposal during an online meeting on Wednesday. The university seeks voluntary redundancies but has not excluded compulsory measures.

The Londonderry campus, known as Magee, enrols 6,500 students. Expansion plans aim for 10,000 students by 2032. This target forms part of the 2020 New Decade, New Approach agreement that restored Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive.

Stephen Kelly, chairman of the taskforce for the campus expansion, stated the job cuts will not affect the plans. He said the current phase centres on capital works including design teams, procurement, and infrastructure rather than student numbers. Kelly added that university leaders hold a legal duty to maintain financial sustainability and secure required funding.

A Department for the Economy spokesperson said the expansion stays a priority for Minister Caoimhe Archibald. The department noted a 22% rise in student numbers over the past two years. All funding needed so far has been provided.

Foyle SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin raised concerns that growing student numbers calls for more administration and support staff, not reductions.

A university spokesperson said reports from the taskforce identify a sustainable higher education funding model as essential for growth. The university remains committed to viable expansion at the Londonderry campus but noted no such model exists yet.