STUDENTS at the University of Gloucestershire could have their exams disrupted as lecturers at the troubled facility threaten to strike.

The University and College Union is considering the move as a protest against what it sees as inevitable compulsory redundancies.

However, university bosses say job losses are not certain and have branded the threat as "deplorable".

The news comes in the same week university bosses confirmed the facility was cutting its number of faculties in a bid to tighten its belt.

Three new faculties will replace the existing four on August 1 and UCU chiefs say they fear job losses will follow on from the changes.

A UCU branch secretary for the university said: "It's obvious to everyone there will be redundancies if they are reducing the number of faculties.

"Some staff, particularly administrative, will be doubled up. We're ready, in principle, to strike to coincide with the exam period, but we're hopeful it can be avoided.

"It's being called a reconfiguration, which is insulting to everyone's intelligence. This is clearly about redundancy.

"Government funding to the university has been cut by one per cent, not the huge amounts the university was talking about previously, so why should so many jobs be at risk?"

But a university spokesman claimed compulsory redundancies were "the last resort".

Paul Drake, executive director of external relations, said: "Alongside developing income, we still need to look at the university's cost base as public financial support continues to contract.

"Compulsory redundancies will be the last option in a string of efficiency opportunities that will be explored.

"There seems to be one threat of strike after another, but no ballot to test the opinion of UCU members. This type of threat does nothing more than illustrate how disconnected some are to the significant structural changes taking place to the economy.

"Hard-working students are the university's absolute priority, particularly approaching exam periods.

"To use them as pawns in this way is deplorable."

Leigh Moore, president of the Student Union, said: "Our primary concern is academic quality. A lot of students have already responded positively to faculty changes and those that haven't we'll work with.

"We wholeheartedly want to avoid strike action. It's extremely difficult for graduates to find employment at the moment and we don't want to put any added pressure or stress on those that are about to graduate.

"We'll work hard with the UCU to try and prevent this because it could cause more harm than good."

It's hoped the faculty changes, which will see courses run on three campuses instead of five, will help save the cash-strapped university money. Leaders are seeking to save £3 million by the summer.

Mr Drake said: "Some courses will move location and students will be involved in discussions that achieve that end.

"We've successfully come through an institutional audit by the Quality Assurance Agency with several areas of good practice identified."

A project board and a number of task groups will be established to ensure the project, including the move from Pittville campus, is completed on time and within budget.

No more courses will run at Pittville after September 2011.