The Robert Gordon University has revealed plans to slash spending by £6m.

RGU intends to cut 100 jobs, reducing its staffing budget by £4m and cutting £2m elsewhere.

Employees are understood to have been told there will be no compulsory redundancies.

RGU has blamed the oil downturn and its impact on the local economy for the decision.

The Aberdeen university said fewer overseas students are attending as a result.

But the University and College Union (UCU) described the decision as a "devastating blow".

Principal professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski said: "RGU will embark on a period of reprofiling of its workforce to address the financial challenges and our strategic needs, allowing us to pursue ambitious targets for the successful, sustainable development of the university.

"We will continue to make a leading contribution to economic growth here and across Scotland, widening access to higher education, and the availability of high value knowledge and skills for the economy and society.”

'Devastating blow'

UCU Scotland spokeswoman Mary Senior said: "This is a devastating blow for the dedicated staff who work to deliver world-class education at Robert Gordon University.

"It will lead to a huge loss of expertise, undermining efforts to improve quality and attract more students in the future.

"The university needs to recognise that hard-working staff are the backbone of any successful university and rethink its plans. UCU will be happy to work with the university to identify further savings in other areas instead of looking to cut staff numbers."