A campaign group is looking to form a strike committee of students following a referendum which revealed a majority vote in students supporting staff industrial action.

The Anti-Cuts Coalition is made up of staff and students at the University of Sheffield who oppose the cuts being made to staff and resources. 

Charlie Thomas, a member of the coalition, said: “The referendum result is a clear indication that students reject the cuts.”

He added: “The cuts will make life at the university worse and more stressful for everyone who studies here.”

Ben Golding, a foundation year student, chose Sheffield because he wanted to study Physics with Philosophy. He was informed that the course would be cut after the UCAS deadline.

He said: “It’s frustrating not only to have my chosen course pulled, but with no time to do anything about it.”

The referendum was held 17-20 March by Sheffield SU alongside the student elections in response to a university management scheme pursuing cuts to modules, courses, staff and resources.

Over 400 jobs could be lost through voluntary or compulsory redundancies, as the university aims to cut £23m in staffing costs over this and the next academic year. 

Mr Thomas said: “The first immediate impact of the referendum will be the UCU ballot.” 

The Sheffield University College Union (UCU) Ballot for industrial action is open until 31 March. 

Robyn Ortifelli, Sheffield UCU President, said: “Staff and students are the heart of this institution and now is the most important moment for us to stand together and demand better.”

Results of the referendum were publicised to reveal that 2217 students voted ‘yes’ to the SU supporting university staff taking industrial action, while 455 voted no and 168 abstained.

In addition, 2230 students voted ‘yes’ to the SU expressing ‘no confidence’ in the University Executive Board, while 277 voted no and 195 abstained.

In the run-up to the referendum, Anti-Cuts Coalition Sheffield held a protest at a university open day on Saturday 8 March. 

The university has said that it is taking a number of considered actions in response to the challenges facing the higher education sector and regularly reviews the courses on offer to ensure they meet the needs of students, employers and wider society, and often make changes to reflect this. A small number of programmes have five or fewer students, and are consequently being reviewed.

It has also stated its responsibility as a University to deliver a consistent, high quality student experience, and to offer courses that meet market demands.

A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield said: “At the University of Sheffield, we are taking a proactive and strategic approach to the current challenges facing UK universities so that we can continue to deliver the excellent education and student experience for which Sheffield is renowned.

“We continue to navigate these challenges responsibly and transparently. We deeply value student voice and continue to engage with our Students’ Union and students on these and other important matters.”

The Anti-Cuts Coalition is holding a meeting on supporting staff strikes and fighting university cuts on 1 April.