Eighty academic roles and 120 support staff jobs are set to be lost at Bangor University.
In addition to the academic roles, jobs affecting workers in I.T., examinations, academic registry, libraries, estates, accommodation and student support are expected to be lost.
Trade unions say the scale of cuts will damage Bangor’s level of student support and welfare and academic reputation.
The university has announced plans to save £13m after “an anticipated fall in income, mainly related to international student recruitment”.
A spokesperson from Bangor University told the BBC: “With our nationally recognised gold rating for teaching excellence students are at the heart of the university.
“Our priority in any changes will be to ensure that their experience is not only protected but enhanced.
“Whilst this is a period of significant challenge, it also provides an opportunity to innovate and emerge from Covid-19 stronger and as a leading force in higher education and the economy of north Wales and beyond.
“Up to 200 full-time equivalent staff posts are at risk of redundancy.”
UNISON, UCU and UNITE have criticised what is a third round of job cuts in the last three years. They say Bangor University executives are not interested in long-term planning or in evaluating where savings might be made without harmful cuts to staff numbers.
The unions have emphasised how the job cuts will be a huge blow to the local economy. The trade unions argue there is a duty on Bangor University to protect jobs because it is one of the three main employers in Gwynedd and they will be raising the matter with the Welsh government.
Christine Lewis, UNISON Bangor branch secretary, said: “Bangor University is rushing into redundancies without waiting until we know how many domestic and overseas students are going to be here next year.
“University executives have been shedding staff for three years and they still haven’t achieved financial stability.
“Why isn’t Bangor saying ‘let’s put people before buildings’ and see if sensible saving can be made elsewhere first before axing dedicated staff.”
Daryl Williams, UNITE regional officer, said: “Bangor University are sacking staff based on pessimistic projections. Rather than panic and make skilled people redundant, it would be better for the university to sit down with their employees and unions to plan for the future and decide what type of institution they want to be.
“Another round of cuts will hit staff morale at a time when people are working flat out to cope with Covid.”
Dyfrig Jones, Bangor University UCU president, said: “Universities are organisations which are largely reliant on intellectual capital to deliver services. Making staff redundant during a pandemic when the university needs to draw on the intellectual capital of staff to deliver blended learning and support students seems very short-sighted.”
