STUDENTS have said they have not been given enough time to respond to a university's controversial closure plans.

Durham University's council will today consider proposals to scrap its East Asian Studies and Linguistics departments and its European Studies course.

The department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies would become a postgraduate institute under the plans, which the university's senate has approved.

The university said it plans to channel money into departments that have performed the best in teaching and research assessments.

Students and graduates said the move will damage the university's standing and reduce choice.

The university said the shake-up will transfer £8.7m from low demand subjects to popular areas such as English, law and history.

Durham Students' Union (DSU) said the consultation period on the plans, which could see up to 40 jobs lost, falls during the summer holidays.

In its response to the plans, it said: "Ninety days outside of term time is not enough time to fully explore an alternative to a proposal which we are told has taken a year to construct.

"Concern has been expressed about the viability of the investment programme.

"There are many who have very grave reservations about the proposal, and there are many students who feel that the university is being extremely short-sighted."

The DSU wanted to come up with alternatives, but said it could not be done in 90 days.

A spokesman said: "It is vital, if the offer of consideration of other alternatives was genuine, that time and support is given to the people seeking to produce them."

A university spokeswoman said the departments and individuals affected would be consulted and have the opportunity to suggest alternative proposals.

She said: "Staff are still here, even if the students are not. The consultation period is on-going at the moment.

"The situation is the same as it was when we initially announced the proposals in June. There is not anything we can really add to that. It depends whether the council accepts the proposals."

Even though most students are away, those remaining in Durham will stage a protest outside this morning's council meeting.