More than 80 jobs are under threat at Staffordshire University after the institute announced plans to create six new schools.

The university, which has campuses in Stafford and Stoke, said it was moving to a new academic structure to "reflect its most successful and relevant subjects”.

The new schools will replace the existing faculty and schools structure.

The schools are: digital technologies; engineering and creative arts; health and social care; education, psychology and sport; law, policing and forensics, and business, leadership and economics.

Staffordshire University stressed that teaching roles were unaffected by the move but 81 senior level jobs were now at risk of redundancy with many staff expected to eligible to apply for roles under the new structure.

In June, the university announced it had sold its Stafford campus to an unknown Chinese investor as it migrated courses and staff away to other bases in the town and the main campus in Stoke-on-Trent.

Vice chancellor professor Liz Barnes said: "This is not about saving money.

"We believe this new agile approach will allow resource to be spent on academic delivery, putting our students first as well as focusing on applied research.

"While this period of change is not easy for staff and those directly impacted, we are committed to consultation and staff will be offered guidance and support throughout this period.

"We're aiming to complete it by the end of this year to minimise any uncertainty. Of utmost importance, we're committed to ensuring our students are not affected by these changes."

She added: "Having invested £80 million in our campus and facilities over the last five years, we now need to ensure that we are offering the very best learning and teaching that today’s students and businesses demand."