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National
Kali Lindsay

A fifth of Durham University graduates facing delay in receiving degree results

The "vast majority" of Durham University undergraduate students are expected to graduate with a classified degree or will receive an interim award this summer.

The university says the impact of a marking boycott has been "significant" on some departments and the institute is "working around the clock" to ensure all students get their results.

Around 80% of undergraduate students will receive either a classified degree or interim award, but 20% will not receive their final marks or classifications.

READ MORE: County Durham family living 'in a state of purgatory' as autism assessment waiting lists more than doubles up to five years

Graduation ceremonies will take place between June 29 and July 6, but those who are unable to graduate will be invited to a ceremony next spring.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) began the boycott at 145 universities across the UK on April 20 in an ongoing dispute over staff pay and working conditions

The UCU has said it will continue until employers make an improved offer on pay and working conditions.

University bosses say they are "working around the clock" to ensure all undergraduate students receive their results.

A university spokesman said: “Our finalists urgently need to receive their final marks and conclude their degree to be able to move onto the next chapter in their lives.

"We have asked staff who are members of the UCU and who have chosen to take part in the marking and assessment boycott to prioritise our students and get all final marks in by Friday 14 July.

“The vast majority of Durham’s undergraduate students (around 80%) will at this point graduate with a classified degree or will receive an interim award.

"A significant minority of students (around 20%) will, at the moment, face delays in receiving all their marks and final classifications.

“The university is working round-the-clock to ensure all undergraduate students, once all marks are in and assessed, receive their degree.

"Durham undergraduate degrees are heavily weighted towards final examinations and projects, so we are particularly affected by the timing of the boycott."

The spokesman said the impact of the boycott had been "significant" on some departments.

He added: “We are taking further steps to ensure that vital work is completed. We continue to update, regularly, our students. We are also offering them a range of pastoral and practical support, including individual support in contacting employers or other higher education institutions on their behalf.

“We fully appreciate how this damaging dispute is affecting many of our students and staff.

"Throughout this period of industrial action, University senior leaders have engaged intensively, repeatedly and energetically with the UCEA Executive and Board, as well as with fellow universities, as we search for a way forward at the present time and seek longer term solutions for the pay and conditions of our staff.

“We nevertheless acknowledge that we are part of national collective pay bargaining. Our UCU branch very recently affirmed to us their ongoing commitment to this national approach.

“Last year (2022), when a marking and assessment boycott was imminent, we were able to reach agreement with our local trade unions to resolve a local dispute. This year is different. This is a national dispute that requires resolution at a national level.

“We remain fully committed to engaging in constructive and forward-looking discussions on our own local level, and to working together to achieve positive outcomes for everyone as far as we possibly can.

"We have been undertaking a comprehensive programme of work over the last 12 months to address issues of importance to our staff.”

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