Thousands of students in the UK are facing graduation chaos as a result of ongoing staff strikes at universities across the nation. Lecturers at approximately 140 universities have refused to mark exam papers and coursework, sparking a dispute over pay and working conditions. The strikes have left many students unable to graduate or facing indefinite delays in receiving their final marks.
One affected student, Hafsa Yusuf, had already spent £200 ($255) on graduation preparations, including gown rental, photography, and tickets for her family. However, just two weeks before the ceremony, she received an email from Queen Mary University of London stating that she couldn’t graduate due to the industrial action taken by academic staff.
Yusuf and her fellow classmates in the class of 2023 have already endured significant disruptions to their college experience. They entered university in 2020, during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns, and have now faced university staff strikes as part of a larger wave of industrial action across the UK.
It remains unclear exactly how many students are affected, but the University and College Union estimated that easily tens of thousands will not be able to graduate this summer, with disruptions likely to continue into the next academic year. Many students are left in limbo, unsure of when they will receive the grades necessary for job offers and postgraduate study opportunities.
The uncertainties are particularly concerning for international students, who face additional complications and costs to remain in the UK. Those hoping to stay in the country to search for work can only apply for a graduate visa after obtaining their degree.
While some students have managed to attend graduation ceremonies, they still await their final results. Saja Altamimi, another affected student, attended her ceremony but is still waiting for grades from certain course modules. Both Altamimi and Yusuf emphasize that their frustration is not directed at their teachers but rather at senior university leaders who they believe have the power to resolve the dispute but have chosen not to negotiate.
The University and College Union argues that universities have enough income to raise staff wages by 10% but are refusing to offer any pay increases. They claim that staff wages have decreased by around 20 to 25% in real terms over the past decade. The union also highlights the overwork and job insecurity experienced by many academic staff.
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association, representing colleges in negotiations with unions, stated that there would be no pay increase in the upcoming year but expressed readiness to negotiate on other issues such as workload and contract types. They argue that the majority of universities are not affected by the strikes and that at most of the impacted institutions, less than 2% of students are unable to graduate.
For the students caught in the middle of this bitter dispute, the confusion and disappointment caused by graduation delays are disheartening. Some students are even considering legal action against universities for breach of contract. Meanwhile, they question the value of their education and the financial burden they have shouldered without the reward of a proper graduation ceremony.
As the strikes continue without resolution, students and universities alike face challenging circumstances. The hope is for a swift resolution that allows students to receive their final marks and officially graduate. Until then, these students remain in a state of uncertainty, hoping for a positive outcome to their academic journey.
