Aberystwyth University student sit-in in fourth week

The students started their demonstration on 22 February

Students demonstrating against what they claim are planned cuts at Aberystwyth University are into their fourth week of a sit-in.

Aber Students Against The Cuts occupied a lecture theatre following a mass march through the town on 22 February.

The students have still been attending lectures, but they say up to 15 have slept at the university every night.

Aberystwyth University has said it is committed to maintaining the "excellent student experience".

The protest, against proposed cuts to societies and student support funding, followed a march through Aberystwyth by students last month.

Aber Students Against The Cuts spokeswoman Anna Clark said the protest had proved "really popular".

She added: "Every time we go and come back more people seem to be in there (in the lecture theatre).

"It's been wonderful to have dialogue with the university's management, and they seemed to take us more seriously when we started sleeping here (in the lecture theatre).

'Sleeping eating and working'

"It's been about bringing people together and we're a community - sleeping, eating and working together. It's been like living in a commune."

Ms Clark, who is an international politics undergraduate, said many of the protesters lived on campus, so they had been able to bring in food and bedding.

She said: "We've had about 10 to 15 people sleeping here every night, although it's been different people because people have commitments. There has been a constant presence in the lecture theatre."

Aberystwyth University has been asked to comment.

Last month, Rebecca Davies, pro vice-chancellor for student and staff services, said the university was "committed to maintaining the excellent student experience at Aberystwyth University".

She added: "We understand the strength of feeling about the changes taking place in higher education at the moment."

Students staged a "teach-in" last December when Aber Students Against The Cuts occupied a lecture theatre to campaign against increased tuition fees in England.