STUDENTS will host a pubic rally today to save arts foundation courses at the prestigious University of the Arts London (UAL) after occupying a college building last week.

In protest over the proposed closures, dozens of student activists at the UAL took over the ground floor of distinguished fashion school Central Saint Martins (CSM).

The plans were uncovered by students’ union officers when, during a board of governors away day, UAL heads of colleges let slip that further education was to be cut drastically.

“UAL management has no mandate for pushing through these cuts,” said union president Shelly Asquith.

“They have continually undermined education in favour of profit-making and have shown contempt for engaging with the student body in any meaningful way.”

The £500,000 cuts would see up to 800 foundation places disappear, as well as putting at risk dozens of staff jobs.

Foundation degrees at London College of Communication (LCC) would disappear altogether and programmes at Camberwell College of Art and CSM would be combined into a single course.

In an email sent to all staff at the university, deputy vice-chancellor Philip Broadhead said: “We respect the students’ protest but would, of course, have preferred them to come directly to us with their concerns.

“Foundation does what it says on the tin — it educates people in art and design. But most courses at LCC are in communications, so foundation isn’t needed there.”

Camberwell foundation student Indiana Lawrence said that she decided to join the occupation because she could not stand by and watch something that she relied upon disappear.

“The link between foundation and degree is vital, both for access for those from marginalised backgrounds and for the quality of arts education and the ability of artists to explore different fields,” she said.

“What is being proposed is devastating, and we will stay here for as long as it takes to make UAL back down.”

Today’s rally will be supported by comedian Josie Long, as well as staff and students at the university.

Occupiers from the London School of Economics, who are now in their fifth day of a sit-in, will also be present at the event.