Around 60 job cuts are being planned at the University of Leicester following losses due to the pandemic.
The red-brick university has confirmed that almost 150 staff will be included in a 90-day consultation which will start when initial meetings are concluded.
Academic areas affected include arts, business, mathematics, actuarial science and neuroscience, as well as the information and education services departments and estates management.
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“One or two” courses could also go as a result.
The university wrote to employees on Monday January 18, to confirm that 145 roles have been placed at risk of redundancy, which could ultimately see 60 fewer employees among its 3,800 staff.
The university started considering cuts in October when it said it was looking to ‘disinvest’ in some areas.
It says the move is in part a response to the coronavirus pandemic which has affected its income from things like halls of residence.
Vice-chancellor Professor Nishan Canagarajah said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly.
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“As an executive team, we have worked hard to limit the changes and will continue to do so over the coming weeks.
“We will also be supporting those who are affected by today’s announcement – through workshops, our employee assistance programme and our health and wellbeing service.
“Should any roles be made redundant, we will redeploy team members where possible and we will launch a significant retraining fund.
“We appreciate this is already a difficult time for many but we also know that we have to take action now to avoid further, larger changes in the future.
“The University of Leicester is a world-leading research and education institution but global competition is fierce and our standing cannot be taken for granted.
“To continue to deliver excellence and to compete on a global level, we must build on our key strengths and we must invest in people and infrastructure.
“We may need to cease activity in a limited a number of areas, options we will be exploring in the consultation process over the next few months.
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“It is vital those affected by the changes hear these proposals first-hand before they are discussed more widely, and they have the chance to offer alternative suggestions.”
The university currently runs 900 courses.