The University of Northampton will consider curriculum cuts in 2025

Megan Clarke, 22, a first-year illustration student, worried the job cuts would affect teaching levels.

“You feel let down by the university because you signed up for this course that you expect will support you and want you to thrive.

“It feels weird to come here thinking you’re in a place where they value creativity, for them to say they’re thinking of removing most of that.”

Labor MP Mike Reader said a second round of voluntary redundancies was a warning that the higher education sector needed urgent support.

“The university is crucial to developing the talented workforce our city needs. It is vital to our local economy and the town centre,” he said.

The university previously said: “Economic, market and policy factors such as frozen tuition fees, rising operational and energy costs and sector recruitment issues have threatened the financial stability of higher education in 2024 and beyond.

“The decision to start this consultation process has not been taken lightly and we appreciate that it is not an easy choice for those colleagues who may opt to accept the enhanced voluntary severance package we will be offering.”