Newcastle University said structural underfunding, rising costs and shifts in international student markets had led to the current economic challenges.

A spokesperson said: “The challenges we are facing are being felt by universities across the UK.”

The spokesperson stressed the university wants to work “constructively” with unions to “build a more sustainable future”, while also supporting “colleagues throughout this challenging time”.

Ms Grady said UK higher education “is on its knees, with thousands of jobs set to disappear from across the sector”.

She added: “This will be hugely damaging to students, and some courses are already disappearing.”

She stated the UCU is “fighting to protect jobs and course provision for current students, and future generations”.

The union said strikes would take place on:

Staff will also take continuous action short of strike from 4 March.

The university said measures to “maintain academic standards” and minimise the impact of the industrial action are in place.