Students at a prestigious music school have said it is "awful" that staff have been earmarked for job losses.

The angry musicians stood outside their school's office in Bartholemews, Brighton, to show their anger with the proposals.

Non-teaching staff at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) in Brighton have been told they are at risk of redundancy amid a business restructuring.

A group picture of the protest (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

They held signs and banners up outside the building demanding "justice for BIMM staff".

Many of the students have travelled across the country, some even internationally, to study at the school for its industry-leading courses - forking out tens of thousands of pounds in the process.

One 19-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous, travelled from the north of England to study at the school.

He said: "Bimm is only as good as its tutors. The connections you make along the way is what makes the experience valuable.

"It is an awful situation for them and for us.

"All the staff behind the scenes have been incredible. They have helped me record and release singles and perform at gigs raising money for charity."

The students banded together with handmade signs and megaphones (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

BIMM plays a large part in Brighton's music scene, with students working with local venues and promoters to perform gigs in and around the city.

The student said that without the artist development team at the school, which are put at risk of being redundant, the experience would be much less valuable.

But the prestigious music institution also helps students with their mental health and personal development.

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22-year-old Conor Spencer believes that he "would not be here today" without the staff at BIMM.

He said: "I finished my course at BIMM a few months ago and I feel very passionate about the cause.

"My father passed away in November and I had a bit of an existential crisis about moving on, it was probably the most difficult year of my life.

"There is a high chance that without the staff at BIMM who supported me through all of it, I would not be here today."

Conor Spencer (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

A petition was set up by the students, which has received nearly 1,500 signatures, calling on the school to reconsider its decision.

A spokesman for BIMM said the restructuring of staff was necessary and would benefit students.

He said: "As our institution continues to grow, and having obtained university title last year, changes in the way that we work are required to provide a better student and lecturer experience and ensure greater coordination across campuses, faculties, and courses.

"We have been consulting closely with staff members over the past three months, providing them with the opportunity to ask questions, comment on and make recommendations about any aspect of these changes.

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"Crucially, there will be no reduction in teaching staff resulting from these changes.

“We care about our staff, lecturers and students deeply and we are doing everything we can to ensure any changes are implemented as carefully as possible, for all involved."

The Department for Education granted it university status last July, 21 years after it was founded in the city in 2001.

Since, BIMM has opened colleges across the country and even to Europe.