Dr Patterson thinks Exeter's decision is unfair on students

Following a vote of its governing body on Monday, Exeter University is closing its chemistry department in an effort to cut its �4.5m deficit.

But the Parents Against Closures at Exeter group is seeking legal advice over suing for breach of contract.

Co-ordinator Wendy Patterson said the decision had been "plainly wrong".

'The only course'

Dr Patterson, of Oakham, Rutland, told BBC News: "It seems legal action is the only course open to us.

"There are times when things are plainly wrong and you just have to stand up and fight them."

The closure of Exeter's chemistry department will leave existing students without a course next year and is expected to mean 130 job losses.

A spokesman for the university's governing council said: "We have given a commitment to our students that they will receive an equivalent experience to that which they would have had.

"We have therefore been working in partnership with the students to develop a range of options which we have asked them to consider over Christmas."

Should students not wish to transfer to another degree course at Exeter, they are being offered up to �2,000 to relocate.

But Dr Patterson, a part-time lecturer at Loughborough University, said: "We want Exeter and other institutions know that they can't treat students like this.

"My son started his chemistry course in September. It's absolutely devastating that he's going to have to go elsewhere to study for that degree.

"Students are going to be at a disadvantage with all that upheaval."

Dr Patterson is writing to Pace's 60 or so other members and is trying to raise funds for legal action.

Exeter's chemistry department has been given a 4 rating for its research, below the top 5 and 5* ratings.

Under the government's funding formula, this means it gets far less money than leading rivals.

The university argues that this makes chemistry too expensive to teach.