Lecturers and managers at Oxford Brookes University have begun discussions designed to head off industrial action.

Academics are furious that four science courses are to be axed at the Headington-based institution, to help rescue it from an expected £1.6m budget deficit.

About 25 jobs will be affected by the cuts, which will see the closure of chemistry, geology, civil engineering and cartography degree courses. The cuts are part of a portfolio review of courses offered by the university. The subjects were chosen for their difficulty in attracting sufficient students.

The number of redundancies has not yet been announced.

Members of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE), have threatened to ballot for strike action unless the university agrees not to impose compulsory redundancies. The university's Vice Chancellor, Prof Graham Upton, said: "We are into the formal stage of negotiations and meetings are taking place."

He said the portfolio review would continue, with an internal look at the future of language, science and maths teaching. The findings will be released in about six weeks' time.

He added: "We don't envisage major course closures, though we will be looking at some cuts across the board."

NATFHE member and history of art lecturer Dr Christiana Payne said: "Consultation is going ahead, and we are talking.

"If talks go well, we won't need to take industrial action, but if they don't, we would have to have a ballot."

A NATFHE spokesman said: "Members have said they will not accept any compulsory redundancies."