Courier country students could see their degrees thrown into disarray after a major union voted to press ahead with industrial action.
The potentially crippling action, organised by the University and College Union, could see exams left unmarked and coursework not set.
The union called the vote after it emerged pension changes could cost members £20,000 per year.
They claim changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), which is facing a “sizeable deficit”, could lead to staff recruitment and retention problems.
Talks are scheduled tomorrow between the union and the employers’ representatives.
The union said if the employers continued with their proposals then the union would then meet on Friday to decide what form the disruption would take and when it would start.
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: “UCU members at universities across the UK have made it quite clear today that they reject the radical changes being proposed for their pensions.
“We will go into talks on Wednesday hopeful that we can resolve the current impasse.
“However, we will go into that meeting with a serious mandate from members that they need to see real improvements.”
