Dundee University is expected to furlough several hundred staff as part of measures to safeguard its employees.
It is understood up to 300 could be put on the scheme, which sees the UK government pay 80% of an employee’s wages.
The university, which has a staff complement of more than 3000, says it is still working out numbers.
It has previously said all wages will be topped up by the institution to 100%.
A spokesperson said: “The university is adopting the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
“This will affect individual staff members but is in the interests of the university as a whole and will ultimately help protect jobs.
“Implementation of the scheme has been discussed with the campus unions who are supportive of the measure.
“Work is now under way to identify roles which will be furloughed and once these are confirmed we will be informing staff, likely over the course of the next week.”
The university, like others across the UK, has lost vital revenue stream due to the current lockdown measures.
It hopes to secure additional help in the form of grants or loans to further plug gaps in its finances.
All recruitment has also been put on hold for the time-being.
It is understood those who would be furloughed are staff who work in the commercial sectors of the university.
Lecturers and other teaching staff, unless they are on external contracts, would not be eligible for the scheme.
Abertay University has confirmed it has furloughed staff and topped up pay to 100%.
A spokesperson for Abertay University said: “We have placed a small number of eligible commercial staff in furlough, in line with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme guidelines, and will be topping up their wages to full pay.
“There are no plans for any redundancies at this time.”
Perth College says it has “no plans” to furlough any staff.
It comes after St Andrews University revealed it is facing a £25 million financial black hole.
The institution has been struck by a loss of research grants, lack of conferences and the decision to release students from their accommodation contracts.
It has called for more help from the Scottish Government and halted all major capital projects.
