Over 20 students have started a sit-in at Exeter University as part of Britain-wide protests over Con-Dem plans to privatise student loans.

The group marched across campus and occupied a common room on Monday evening as part of a week of action organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity.

A statement made clear the occupation came in response to the government's intention to flog millions of pounds worth of student debt racked up between 1998 and 2012 to privateers.

It said: "If implemented this would mean students and graduates paying extortionate amounts on their student loans.

"Privatisation equates to profiteering, costing all students."

The students are planning to hold the space until Friday, supporting tomorrow's strike by university workers and inviting others to discuss the future of education at a "free university" forum.

They added that their action was in defence of the right to protest after police kettled over 30 students and arrested 14 during a demonstration at Birmingham University last week.

The Defend Education Birmingham group ended their occupation of a university conference centre on Monday after almost two weeks.

They walked out in the afternoon after a judge granted the university an injunction to evict them and reclaim the building at a court hearing.

A statement said the group were "extremely disappointed" that bosses resorted to legal action but said they were "proud" of their campaign for a better quality of education and against intimidation.

It also revealed they left a gift for one "extremely supportive" worker.