Concerns have been raised over the future of a course at one of Glasgow's universities.
The "entire department" is said to be "at risk," as the Glasgow Times has been told that bosses have contacted staff to say the course will be "closing forever."
Lecturers working on the BSc in Forensic Investigation at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) are claimed to be facing the axe after recruitment to the course stopped last year.
It comes after GCU announced it plans to cut around 100 jobs as they attempt to close a £10 million black hole.
However, the university says that no final decisions have been made at this time.
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A source told the Glasgow Times: "The university has contacted lecturers within the forensic department to announce that after this current crop of first-years graduates, they are shutting down and closing the forensic department/course forever."
However, the university says that "no final decisions have been made" regarding the course's long-term future.
It has also been claimed that "the course is making the university money, which completely contradicts the university’s goal of 'closing a financial black hole' by making these redundancies and closures."
There's been a sharp drop in international student recruitment at GCU, resulting in a £33 million loss of income over two years.
The university is now facing a projected financial deficit of more than £10 million for the next financial year.
A spokesperson for Glasgow Caledonian University said: “Recruitment to the BSc Forensic Investigation at Glasgow Caledonian University was suspended from last year.
"Current students will be taught and supported through to the completion of their programme.
“All programmes are regularly reviewed to ensure sufficient demand and viability.
“Regarding the longer-term future of forensic-related provision, no final decisions have been made yet.
"Consultation is ongoing as part of a wider programme of change, which we appreciate is unsettling for staff.
"Managers are here to support those affected, and wellbeing care through our Employee Assistance Programme is available for everyone.”
We reported last week that lecturers at GCU are being balloted on potential strike action following the announcement of job cuts.
The University and College Union (UCU) is considering industrial action at Glasgow Caledonian University.
The dispute centres around plans to cut 100 jobs through a voluntary redundancy scheme, with compulsory redundancies not ruled out.
Industrial action is already underway at universities across Scotland, including Aberdeen, Dundee, Heriot-Watt, and Strathclyde.
The University of Edinburgh is also set to be affected by strikes next week.
The ballot at Glasgow Caledonian University asks staff whether they are willing to take strike action or action short of a strike.
The ballot will close on Thursday, April 23.
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