Students at the university headed by David Gonski - the architect of the federal government's schools reform plan - have kicked off a national day of protest against higher education funding cuts.
About 100 University of NSW students gathered at the uni's Kensington campus in Sydney on Wednesday to voice their anger at the plan to cut more than $2 billion from higher education.
"The whole sector is in a state of shock," National Union of Students president Jade Tyrrell says.
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"Pretty much every student will be affected at university as a result of these announcements."
Ms Tyrrell says students are worried about course cuts, a reduction of services and staff cuts.
David Gonski, the chancellor of UNSW and the architect of the new funding model for schools, has criticised the university funding changes, as have the teachers' unions.
"We do have widespread sector support, which is unprecedented," Ms Tyrrell says.
"Students agreeing with their vice chancellors ... really demonstrates how dire the situation is."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has offered state and territory governments $2 for every extra $1 they invest in primary and secondary education, promising a $14.5 billion package over six years from 2014.
To help pay for the school reforms, the federal government would cut more than $2 billion from university funding.
Ms Gillard, who will meet state and territory leaders at COAG in Canberra on Friday, and wants a national agreement signed by June 30.
University students will be protesting at campuses across the country.
