STUDENTS protesting against the closure of Middlesex University’s philosophy department held a rally today in Hendon in reaction to the suspension of three lecturers and four students.

About 140 people set up camp at about 4pm, erecting a marquee and making placards with slogans such as “The University is a factory! Strike! Occupy!”

The protest began with an 11-day sit in at Mansion House, on the university's Trent Park campus and ended when university management obtained an injunction from the High Court.

The move marks the first time that protests have moved to the university’s main building in The Burroughs, Hendon.

Three lecturers, Peter Osborne, Christian Kerslake and Peter Hallward, have been suspended, along with four students. The latter face disciplinary hearings tomorrow morning.

Lecturer Mr Hallward, who has been there since 2005, said he was “outraged on every level” by his suspension.

He told students that with the suspensions and disciplinaries the university management had “pushed the nuclear button” and “gone down the road of total confrontation”.

He said about 30 students have signed a letter condemning the closure.

One of the suspended students, Nicola Goodchild, who because of a High Court injunction did not enter the university grounds, faces a disciplinary hearing tomorrow morning. She said: “I don’t really know what they expect. They are not treating us fairly. They have selected seven people out of a large number of people. They captured all of us on CCTV.”

They are now hoping the university will be “greylisted” where the univerity is boycotted by external academics, including external examiners, which would mean future exam results would be unable to be processed.

A dozen people were planning to camp outside the university building tonight, and students plan to continue their demonstrations at both campuses on Friday, with a contingent on the Trent Park campus to support those students which have been disciplined.

Middlesex University blamed the decision on insufficient demand for places after being forced to contribute to Government budget cuts of almost £500 million next year.

Paul Manning, security manager at the university, accused students of becoming aggressive towards security staff, causing broken bones and bruising. Students have vigourously denied the allegation.

The university has said the students are suspended while an investigation is completed.