Staff cuts could be made across all four of the troubled UEA's faculties as workers consider taking to the picket lines over the proposals.

The University of East Anglia has announced it is planning to lose 170 full-time equivalent posts as it looks to save £11m from its budget.

Prof David Maguire, its vice chancellor, said he was "deeply sorry" for the move and insisted it is a decision that "had not been taken lightly".

It is understood that cuts will be made in all four of the university's main faculties - as well as in professional services, to make the savings.

The university's courses are split into four faculties - arts and humanities, science, medicine and health and social sciences.

And union bosses expect that job cuts will be made across all four of these areas - as well as in professional services, the department which carries out maintenance and administrative tasks on campus.

With the proposals having been shared with staff across the university, lecturers are considering staging walkouts in a bit to fight the cuts.

Nick Grant, co-chairman of the UEA's branch of the Universities and Colleges Union said: "We are deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the proposed cuts in professional services, which we think will have the potential to negatively effect student experience and the research profile of the university.

"UEA UCU will work with the employer to try and avoid compulsory redundancies at UEA.

"We will also be shortly balloting our members to gauge their views on whether they believe any potential industrial action is needed in response to the current situation."

David Maguire, vice chancellor of the UEADavid Maguire, vice chancellor of the UEA (Image: University of East Anglia)

Prof Maguire said: "Although long-term finances remain sound, this shortfall has arisen because of inflationary cost pressures and a reduction in international postgraduate numbers, related across the sector.

"Over the coming weeks, we will continue consultation with our trade unions."