Pay gaps

Anatomy and physiology professors: �8,000 Veterinary science professors: �7,000 Agriculture and forestry lecturers: �4,950 Nursing lecturers: �1,558

Tom Wilson, Head of Natfhe's universities department said: "This research destroys the myth that unequal pay can be somehow explained away.

"These figures prove beyond doubt that women are paid less than the men they work alongside.

"The government, funding councils and higher education employers must urgently act to ensure there is top level commitment and resources to tackle the problem."

The explanation often put forward by universities is that it used to be the case that fewer women than men became academics, so there are more older men in senior, better-paid positions.

But Natfhe says analysis of the figures shows that this argument does not stand up.

It says the only explanation for the findings is that women academics are being appointed at lower points on the pay scale than men and stand much less chance of promotion.

Worst offenders

The biggest pay gap is in anatomy and physiology with an �8,000 difference in male and female professors' pay, closely followed by veterinary science with a �7,000 gap.

The same pay gaps in almost all subjects exist at senior lecturer, lecturer and research level grades.

Among lecturers, the biggest gap is in agriculture and forestry: �4,950.

In nursing, where 70% of lecturers are women, male lecturers earn �1,558 more than they do. Senior male nursing lecturers earn �1,061 more than their women counterparts.

The union, the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, is due to hold national talks with higher education employers on 10 April.

'Urgent priority'

A spokeswoman for the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP) said it was making gender equality for staff an urgent priority.

It had set up the Commission on University Career Opportunity in 1993 to promote equal opportunities in higher education.

Discussions were underway with other higher education bodies to set up a full-time office to promote equality issues in the sector.

The CVCP President, Professor Howard Newby, said: "CVCP is serious and committed to taking action to tackle discrimination in higher education as an urgent priority.

"There are historical and structural reasons for the current situation, but this is no excuse, and institutional practices must be examined in a serious and committed effort to tackle discrimination."