Aberdeen University is to cut about 150 posts as it seeks to make savings of more than £10 million.

The university has approved a scheme of voluntary severance and early retirement to bring down staff costs.

It said the restructuring was necessary to maintain and grow its position in an increasingly competitive international market.

A spokeswoman said: "To achieve our vision and to have the necessary financial stability in a very challenging funding environment, we have determined that we need to identify, through a variety of ways, at least £10.5 million as a recurrent saving within the next few months."

Staff costs are currently 59.5% of the university's overall budget, against a sector average of 53.3%.

The spokeswoman added: "It is clear that we must reduce our staffing costs if we are to be able to make the investment we need to deliver our new strategic plan.

"The University Court has therefore approved a process of staff restructuring linked to a scheme of voluntary severance and early retirement.

"The aim of the voluntary severance scheme will be to reduce the staff complement by around 150 posts."