Sheffield students say they support striking university staff but fear the impact it may have on their studies.

Academic and professional services staff at the University of Sheffield are going on strike from 7-14 May and are taking part in action short of a strike, following previous strikes last autumn.

David Hayes, Sheffield University and College Union (UCU) Branch President, said that strike action would take place if members felt it was “necessary to resolve our dispute over job cuts, job security and unsustainable management with the University’s management.”

Students have been supportive of the decision by UCU members in the recent re-ballot for potential industrial action.

Harry Statham, 22, postgraduate student at the university, said: “To be honest, I partly support it.

“If staff feel strongly enough to vote for strike action, there are clearly real issues that need to be dealt with.”

Mr Statham also held praise for the communication of possible strike action as he said: “I have had emails about it and seen notices, and the union communications have been fairly clear.”

Jamie Jobey, 19, undergraduate student, believes university staff are ‘justified in striking’.

He said: “The university’s treatment of staff is ridiculous.”

Despite positive support from students for the reasons behind strike action, many have different feelings towards it in the way it affects their education.

Mr Jobey said: “I have missed out on a lot of lectures and seminars and I think that has especially impacted students who need the structure and support that has been limited by strikes”

Dominic Lopez-Welsch, 20, undergraduate student, also said: “Fortunately, there has been no disruption to my degree, but I know this is far from true for many fellow students.”

Mr Statham added: “As a postgraduate student, the taught side of your degree is so important.

“When that keeps getting interrupted, it really does add up.”

Mary Vincent, Vice-President for Education at the University of Sheffield, has informed students that “your school will provide details of arrangements they are putting in place to ensure that wherever possible, lost learning is replaced.”

Mr Statham has felt that support in issues involving loss of education hasn’t been ‘enough’.

“In previous years of my study, the support was very limited.”