Up to 1,000 staff and students are today planning to protest against sweeping education budget cuts and job losses. University and College Union (UCU) members at the University of Sussex will take industrial action over controversial plans to cut 112 posts – the second wave of strikes to hit the university in as many months.

Strikers from Sussex are expected to be joined by about 350 staff and students from the University of Brighton and City College for an In Defence of Education rally and march through the city.

Yesterday a university spokesman said the strike has been called “despite all the positive progress we have made locally.”

UCU leaders said membership at the university has increased by 10% since the first strike in March and expect up to 600 people to take action today.

Paul Cecil, UCU Sussex representative, said: “Staff at Sussex has been left with little option but to strike today.

“Over 100 staff are at risk of imminent redundancy notices and further cuts have already been announced which would seriously damage the quality of education we can offer current and prospective students. The city centre protests demonstrate that the cuts we are facing are vehemently opposed by the wider community.”

The In Defence of Education demonstration will begin at The Level in Brighton at 4.30pm before a rally at The Old Ship Hotel, in King’s Road, in protest at wider education cuts.

A spokesman for UCU said £1 billion of cuts have been announced for universities nationally and further education colleges have also been told to make savings of £340 million next year.

Tom Hickey, from UCU National Executive Committee, said: “The damage to education will be immeasurable.

“Already, at the University of Brighton, we have seen a decision to end adult education provision and the closure of the Saturday Art School – something we are fighting and hope to reverse.”

A spokesman for University of Brighton said: "The University of Brighton is constantly reviewing and updating its course provision to ensure that we meet demand.

“As part of this ongoing process we are suspending our short courses in some areas of art and design while we review our provision during the next academic year.

“Our aim is to work more closely with the local community and the creative and cultural industries to deliver relevant courses."

The University of Sussex’s Proposal for Change, which aims to make about £5 million of savings, was approved by the university council in March.

A university spokesman said more than 100 staff had shown interest in four schemes to try and reduce staff number voluntarily.

He added: “Strike action does not provide a way forward for the opportunities and challenges facing the University, nor does it add to the positive consultation “Our main concern on the day will be to ensure that the campus continues to run as normal and that we continue to provide excellent teaching for our students and good support for our staff.”