The union says the action will disrupt administration

They will decide their next course of action in the coming days.

It is the latest development in a pay dispute which the union NATFHE says has been going on for at least four years.

The union's regional official Jim McKeown said any action would not be aimed only at students.

"Our action is primarily designed at affecting the administration of the colleges," he said.

"The action, short of strike, will include things like a work to rule, a refusal to cover for absent colleagues, a refusal to provide management with statistical information or to co-operate with quality assurance procedures.

"All of those kinds of actions will be designed to hit the administration of the colleges rather than the students."

Almost half of the union's 1,800 members in Northern Ireland took part in the vote, with 76% voting for strike action.

Measures to frustrate the operation of colleges were backed by 94% of those who voted.