Staff across 150 UK universities will strike on 1 February, the University and College Union has announced.
It is the first of 18 strike days planned in February and March. The UCU said it would confirm the other 17 next week.
A pay offer worth 4-5% made during talks with employers last week was insufficient, it said.
But the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association has said the offer is actually worth up to 7%.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said staff would be walking out "alongside fellow trade unions".
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers will also be striking that day.
