THE University of Bedfordshire’s plan to lay off staff will make life worse for students, unions warned today.

Managers seek to address a predicted £5 million deficit next year, a shortfall caused mainly by a drop in the number of international students and following surpluses over the last five years totalling more than £60m.

These have helped swell university reserves to more than £200m, Unison and UCU say.

The university is planning on merging faculties and schools to cut spending, which unions warn will lead to fewer staff and less-specialised support for student learning. 

Nearly 240 jobs will go under the proposals, with most at-risk staff in professional services, supporting students’ education in administrative and technical roles.

The university expects to create around 160 new jobs, which staff threatened with redundancy can apply for.

UCU regional officer Alex Eastwood said: “Our members are shell shocked at the number of jobs the university wants to slash. 

“We are calling on the vice-chancellor to think again and to stop trying to use staff as the shock absorbers for management’s financial failings.”

The University of Bedfordshire said it is consulting with staff on a proposed restructuring to secure its future success while minimising job losses.