The vice-chancellors of at least eight universities, including University College London, have fallen under pressure from lecturers and students and are to accept a freeze in pay, as some ask departments to make major savings.

The decision came after it emerged that many university heads earned in excess of £200,000 a year, with benefits. They have been awarded substantial pay rises in recent years, including an average 8% in 2006-07 and 9% in 2008.

University Vice-Chancellors had taken the decision due to the current financial situation. Lecturers and students believed the increase in wages to be distasteful and pointed out that students and other staff were suffering from cutbacks in higher education.

Research by Times Higher Education found that seven other universities were following suit with UCL: Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Leeds, and the universities of Chichester, Exeter, Newcastle, Warwick and York St John.

The Universities and Colleges Union believe university staff will feel this gesture is too little, too late.

Several other universities indicated they would make a decision on executive salaries after national negotiations on staff pay later this spring.