VR Targeted Scheme 2026-7

A Voluntary Redundancy scheme targeted towards Academic (Grade 7 and above - Lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor) roles in identified Schools has been launched.  This scheme is targeted on those Schools where some realignment of academic resource will benefit the financial operation of the School.  It will not be open to all Schools.

The Schools or Departments included in the scheme are:

• School of Agriculture and Policy Development
• School of Art and Communication Design – Art, and Typography and Graphic Communication only.
• School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy – Food and Nutritional Sciences only.
• School of Humanities – Classics, English Literature, History, and Languages and Culture only.
• School of Mathematics, Physical and Computational Sciences – Mathematics and Statistics, and Meteorology only.
• School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Philosophy only.
• School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences – Charlie Waller Institute only.

Student recruitment patterns have changed in terms of disciplines, and while disciplines have seen some growth, others have seen significant declines in recruitment compared to previous years. These Schools and Departments are identified from the latest modelling of SSR data (June 2026), all of which show an SSR for 2026/27 is below the minimum range.  

Voluntary redundancy payment

The voluntary redundancy payment will be calculated as a sum equivalent to the statutory redundancy payment based on uncapped weekly salary, plus 2 months gross pay. The total voluntary redundancy payment will be subject to a cap of 20 years’ service and maximum payment of £75,000. The University believes that payments up to £30,000 can be paid free of tax. The 2026/27 pay award will be included in the weekly pay calculation.

The VR payment will not include a payment in lieu of notice, and a notice period to 31 July 2027 will be expected to be worked in full. There is no difference in the calculation of the VR payment based on grades.

When does the scheme open and close?

The opportunity to apply for voluntary redundancy will open on 26 October 2026 and close at 16:00 on Monday 16 November 2026. 

How do I apply?

If you wish to apply for voluntary redundancy, you will be asked to fill in some basic details on a Voluntary Redundancy Targeted Scheme 2026-7 form that will be submitted to HR. This form must be submitted no later than 12noon on Thursday 12 November 2026.

In response to your emailed request, HR will provide you with a letter setting out the details of the voluntary redundancy payment to which you would be entitled should your application be accepted.

Please do not request further information if you are not a member of staff in the identified Schools / Departments as your request will not be processed.

You must sign and return a copy of that letter if you wish to proceed with the application.  By returning the letter, you are offering to take voluntary redundancy on the terms set out in that letter.   The final deadline for the return of this letter will be 16:00 on Monday 16 November 2026.  No applications received after this date will be considered.