Six top managers at Bournemouth secured the deal, its latest accounts appear to show, while nationally university bosses offered staff a 1 per cent pay rise.

As well as the rises for senior staff at Bournemouth, the vice-chancellor received a salary increase of 19 per cent, according to the university’s 2012-13 financial statements, published in December.

John Vinney was paid a salary of £211,000, up from £178,000 the previous year. Professor Vinney’s overall pay package, including pension contributions, tops £244,000 - a rise of 22 per cent since he was appointed in 2010, the University and College Union said.

Each of the other managers awarded a substantial overall rise are on six-figure salaries, the union said. Meanwhile, the number of academic staff at the university has fallen 8 per cent over the past six years, it added.

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UCU branch spokesman John Brissenden, said: “Bosses at Bournemouth University are lining their pockets at the expense of staff and students.”

He added: “These eye-watering pay rises demonstrate the startling hypocrisy of a leadership who clearly believe there is one rule for them and one for everyone else…. The controversial revelations will certainly galvanise staff as we continue our fight for fair pay.”

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However, the university said although the accounts “implied” there had been a 30 per cent rise for six senior managers, the two totals for 2012 and 2013 were “not directly comparable”.

 “In 2012 there was an interim member of the executive team, so whilst they were counted in the headcount of six senior staff, their remuneration was not counted in that section of the annual accounts as it was accounted for elsewhere,” a spokesman said.

“Therefore the two totals for salary are not directly comparable as 2012 refers to five substantive staff, whereas 2013 refers to six substantive staff.”

The university also said that despite his pay rise Professor Vinney is “still paid below the average for vice-chancellor roles in the UK”.

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The annual cost of living increases for the six senior managers have been set at, or below that of other staff for the past four years, the university added.

holly.else@tsleducation.com