STUDENTS at a top university fear a major review could lead to courses and even departments being axed.

Students at Durham University say up to ten departments - including politics and Middle Eastern studies - could be at risk of closure.

But the university said no proposals for any closures had been drawn up.

They have lodged a petition with the university authorities and last night staged a sit-in in the university's library.

They say the restructuring is being carried out in the wake of an assessment of university research by the Higher Education Funding Council.

Durham Student Union president Emily Fieran-Reed said: "The vice-chancellor (Sir Kenneth Calman) has already said that the process may involve closure of departments.

"It is amazing to think it could drop some of those departments or modules that students enjoy and are so important to the reputation of the university.

"It is about research on the face of it but in reality it is about money. It's not the university's fault. It is the funding situation that the Government has put them in. It seems they are in a crisis situation."

But a university spokes-man said the students were "spreading panic and discord''.

He said the review began several months ago and was due to be finished by the summer but he stressed no proposals for any closures had been drawn up.

"We have to look at our financial situation and look at the market for applications for degrees. We have to look at all the costs involved in running the university.

"The university has changed its shape, size and character many times in its history. We are going through a periodic revision.

"It may involve difficult decisions but that's part and parcel of running a big organisation.''