Ulster University plans up to 450 redundancies to address a financial deficit of around £25m. The university aims to achieve this through voluntary schemes across its campuses.

Projections indicate 108 potential losses at the Magee campus in Derry, 221 at Belfast, 114 at Coleraine, and seven at Jordanstown. A university spokesperson stated that employers must notify the government of potential redundancies with locations specified. The figures represent notional allocations based on current staffing at each site.

Norman Hagan, chair of the University and College Union branch at Ulster University, called for a pause in the process. He stated that 108 losses at Magee would affect efforts to expand from 6,500 to 10,000 students by 2032.

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald affirmed that Magee expansion remains an Executive priority. Her department noted a 22% increase in student numbers there over the last two years. A spokesperson said she stays committed to the 10,000-student target.

Archibald told the Assembly that the cuts stem from the Executive lacking funding to its level of need. She mentioned £35m invested since the Executive's 2024 restoration. Magee has almost 750 staff, Belfast about 1,500, Coleraine almost 800, and Jordanstown close to 50.

A taskforce established in 2024 oversees the Derry campus expansion action plan. Stephen Kelly, taskforce chair, stated last week that job cuts would not jeopardise the plans.

Sinéad McLaughlin, SDLP assembly member, raised concerns over 108 jobs at risk at Magee during Assembly exchanges.