There may have to be some difficult decisions

Keith Seacroft, Durham University spokesman

The president of the Durham Students Union, Emily Fieran-Reed, said students had demonstrated how strongly they felt about the possible cuts.

"We have shown what we can do and made them aware that we can do this again, for a lot longer," she said.

"Let's just hope some good comes of this consultation, this open meeting they have agreed with us.

"The credibility of a Durham degree, the diversity of Durham students and prestige of the university are all at stake, yet the decision seems to be driven only by financial short-termism."

The university confirms that it is to review its courses and finances - but says it has not yet decided the "mechanisms for that review".

'Changing demands'

It says no decision has been taken to cut courses which achieved ratings of four and below.

Spokesman Keith Seacroft said: "Like all big organisations, we have to think about where we will be going in the next five years or so and that is what is happening here.

"The vice-chancellor has said we have no bad departments, but we do have to look at the quality of what we do and at the changing demands for subjects.

"There may have to be some difficult decisions."

He described the protest as a "polite sit-in", with the students listening to what universitiy officials had had to say. He said progress had been made.