Edinburgh University’s student union said while it understood the need for savings, “the university must prioritise student experience” above anything else.

The announcement was made shortly before Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced £15m of funding to help struggling universities.

Staff were previously warned last year that job cuts beyond voluntary redundancy would be likely due to “unsustainable funding” for the university, while a previous e-mail from Sir Peter said “nothing” would be off the table to save costs.

The news comes the same week as Dundee University staff began strike action to protest proposed job cuts there, which the institution say is needed to help cover a potential £30m deficit.

Last year Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen announced plans to cut 135 roles in a bid to save money.

Scores of other universities, including Liverpool, Cardiff and Durham, have also recently announced cost-saving plans.

During the final debate on the Scottish Budget at Holyrood on Tuesday, Robison said she recognised that Dundee University faced an “immediate challenge”.

She said: “I can inform the chamber that up to £15m of financial transactions will be made available to the Scottish Funding Council to support the sector and universities such as the University of Dundee.

“Further work will be ongoing in the coming weeks on this matter, and the minister for higher education will keep parliament updated.”