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The University of South Wales has extended a consultation on job losses and cuts until April 11. USW announced in February that it was shedding 90 jobs, cutting courses and research as it launched a 45-day consultation. Read more on that here

Confirming the extension to next week the spokesperson said it won't be say where the cuts will be made, or which departments are most affected until next term. Staff and students said that among courses at risk are integrative counselling and psychotherapy.

USW has campuses in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd. One affected student worried about what that will mean for their course said: "The course closures are being driven by economic reasons, despite consistently high demand and over subscription.

"These closures will affect over 150 students and result in the loss of thousands of free therapy hours for those in need. Additionally, seven permanent staff members across three courses are at risk.

"Our cohort includes professionals from diverse backgrounds, including doctors, professors, scientists, screenwriters, journalists and teachers. This is the only advanced course of its kind in Wales."

A University of South Wales spokesperson said: “We are currently in active consultation with our colleagues and trade union representatives on the workforce implications of a recent review of our academic provision. We are listening to feedback and representations on the proposals and have recently announced an extension to the consultation deadline to help support further engagement, dialogue, and feedback.”

USW confirmed in February that it will be "withdrawing from some research topics to allow us to more closely align our research activity to four main areas which include crime, security and justice; health and wellbeing; sustainable environment; and creative innovation". Courses won't close completely until all current students finish their studies, but there will not be new intakes.

On its website the university says: "Inevitably, with course closures and subject realignments, we will be looking to reduce the workforce which helps to support teaching, learning and research activities in select areas. The proposals outline a reduction of approximately 90 roles from across the institution, including the simplification and reduction of our faculty management structures. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

"Final outcomes from this process will be confirmed in the summer term. We anticipate that most of these roles will leave at the end of this academic year, but some will exit on a phased basis over the next few years to ensure students on affected courses can complete their programme of study."

A spokesperson added: "We will not be providing any further comment until after consultation ends with our colleagues and trade unions and final decisions are made."

Universities around Wales and the UK are under financial pressure. Cardiff Metropolitan University has announced between 30 and 50 compulsory redundancies, Cardiff University is consulting on 355 job losses and Bangor 200 while Swansea University is carrying out a "curriculum review".

University bosses say their institutions face combined pressures of inflation, a fall in higher-paying international students, stagnant home tuition fees and increased National Insurance payments. The picture is reflected across the UK. Read more about the crisis here

USW’s annual latest report shows income rose increased by 4.2% to £242.9m in the year ending July 2024, but the university has warned it expects to fall into deficit in the year ending July 2025. It has already seen 100 academic and non-academic staff leave through a voluntary severance scheme initiated as part of ongoing efforts to curb costs.

A University of South Wales spokesperson said earlier this year: “It is an incredibly challenging financial climate for the whole HE sector and like many institutions we are facing a deficit budget this year. We are predicting a shortfall of circa £20m in 2024/25 if no action is taken.