A university has come under fire for contemplating spending hundreds of thousands of pounds to simply add 'of' into its name.

The former Polytechnic, which became known as Plymouth University - it's current trading name - in 2011, said it is looking at whether the name change would provide "greater consistency".

But one insider said the switch was a fait accompli, with the major rebranding project expected to cost the university hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The source said: "Despite running a number of meetings with students and staff about re-branding where the feedback was 'don't re-brand as it will cost a fortune', the vice chancellor has decided to re-brand from Plymouth University to University of Plymouth.

"Staff were emailed this week to change email signatures."

It is understood the latest prospectus includes "University of Plymouth" branding.

Sources revealed the"With Plymouth University" slogan - a campaign launched in 2011 - may be ditched which would mean a complete redesign of campus signage along with stationery, marketing tools and promotional literature.

The university refused to discuss the costs involved.

A spokesman from the university which has about 27,000 students said the two names had become interchangeable in recent years.

The spokesman added: "The university's official name has always been the University of Plymouth.