The letter, dated November 18, was sent to students who had "expressed an interest" in taking any course at the Telford division of Lincoln University.
The letter said change was under way at the campus after Lincoln announced a "proposal for change" at the agriculture and land-based education provider near Balclutha.
Two weeks ago, Lincoln said up to 17 jobs were under threat at the Telford campus following a three-month review of university.
Consultation with affected staff and stakeholders in Telford ends on Monday, after which a decision on the proposal will be made.
The November 18 letter warned prospective students there was no "definite decision as to what programmes will be offered at the Telford Campus in 2017".
Any changes at the Telford Campus would be implemented early next year, the letter said.
The letter said Lincoln was planning to transfer sub-degree education provision, such as the courses offered at Telford, to other providers.
Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre and the Southern Institute of Technology have both indicated an interest in taking over Telford from Lincoln. Even though the consultation was still technically open, Telford head of programmes Roy Gawn said the level 3 and 4 equine courses would be cut.
Marketing had stopped and enrolled students had been notified of the change and encouraged to go elsewhere. Under the proposal, the two equine tutors would lose their jobs.
However, a spokeswoman for Lincoln University would not confirm Mr Gawn’s statement, saying consultation was ongoing, "therefore [we] cannot make further public comment."
Mr Gawn said he understood distance learning delivery at Telford would be cut back "significantly", possibly affecting up to 160 students.
He wanted to know why the university was consulting staff and stakeholders if decisions had already been made.
"That was my question and that is everyone’s question," he said.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan told a full council meeting on Thursday it was a "sickening situation".
He said he still wondered how a situation so serious and yet "so stupid" was allowed to develop.
"We’re not asking for hand-outs — we just want some honour and integrity and a process that places Telford’s best interests as a top priority."
The spokeswoman said consultation would end soon and an announcement would be made on Monday, December 19.
