University staff will continue a 48-hour strike on Friday despite an announcement of fresh talks aimed at resolving a dispute over pay, jobs, pensions and conditions.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) will remain on strike at around 150 universities.
The union welcomed a decision by university employers to enter negotiations under the auspices of the conciliation service Acas.
UCU and four other higher education unions – EIS, GMB, Unison and Unite – will meet employer representatives for talks next week.
