Final-year students at Bristol's universities are worried industrial action by lecturers will delay their graduation. Many students nationally are impacted by a marking and assessment boycott until universities meet the demands of the University College Union (UCU) on pay, pensions and workload.
The nationwide boycott has already seen a number of institutions - such as Cambridge - inform students that "the completion of their degrees and their graduation may be delayed". Action has been ongoing since April 20 - but what does it mean now for those studying at the University of Bristol or the University of the West of England (UWE)?
We spoke to students, who wished to remain anonymous, who said feel "frustrated", "angry" and like they are "being denied" their grades despite the hard work they are putting into their degrees. Below we explain the position of each university, and that of the UCU, and what this ultimately means for students.
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University of Bristol
On May 18 the University of Bristol's student newspaper Epigram published an 'open letter' to the Senior Leadership Team, with students "calling for effective measures to resolve the ongoing dispute with the UCU, highlighting the need for urgent action to ensure the marking is completed in time for graduation".
A University of Bristol spokesperson said in response: “We are very sorry about the uncertainty and frustration the marking and assessment boycott is causing our students and want to offer assurance that our priority is to support them through this challenging period. We expect that most students’ academic outcomes will not be affected but we have put in place contingency plans to help examination boards make sound and robust decisions that will maintain the quality and high standards associated with a Bristol degree.
"Graduations will be taking place this summer and decisions will be made about progression for continuing students. This may mean some final year students graduate with their final result pending, where they have passed but there is not enough evidence to classify their degree.
“This action is part of a long-running national dispute led by the University and College Union (UCU) affecting more than 100 universities with multiple demands on pay, pension and working conditions. While we are working with our local unions here at Bristol, the sector needs to find affordable solutions and better ways of resolving this ongoing dispute nationally.
“Personal tutors and school offices are here to offer support and students will be kept up to date with any developments.”
UWE
The University of the West of England shared information on its website and told students: "We expect that some but not all assessments will be affected by the marking and assessment boycott. However, as the nature of the action short of a strike is to cause disruption, the university may not know whether you have been affected by the boycott until marks have not been received for your assessment.
"Please continue to engage with your assessments in the normal way – assessments will not be cancelled. UCU members are not on strike, so there will be no picket lines on campus and all timetabled sessions (including assessments) will continue as planned.
"However, please be assured that we are doing all we can to limit disruption and support you to progress and complete your studies. To this end, the University has activated its Significant Disruption Academic Regulations. These additional Academic Regulations enable the university to allow progression and completion, even while UCU members are undertaking this boycott.
"If your assessment is affected by the marking and assessment boycott, and marks are not received for you, the below will help you understand how the University will support your progression and completion. You should also familiarise yourself with the Significant Disruption Academic Regulations."
Key information:
- Normal marking deadlines will apply in some cases but not all cases – we expect some but not all marks will be returned within the 20-working day turnaround
The five-day late submission window and 14-day reasonable adjustment period will still apply
Some assessments with a deadline before 20 April will continue to be marked as normal and in accordance with the 20-working day turnaround (even if that continues into the disruption period)
Some examining boards may be delayed to give maximum time for marking. This might mean there is a delay in the release of your results
You will receive marks for all assessments undertaken
Why the UCU has actioned this boycott?
University staff who are part of the UCU are asking for better pay and conditions within their roles and are doing so by disrupting the marking and assessment phase of work. Affecting 145 universities in its first day, the marking and assessment boycott covers all marking and assessment, including that in writing, online or verbally.
The boycott also covers assessment-related work such as exam invigilation and the administrative processing of marks. It's this element, the UCU says, which is expected to impact graduations.
The UCU added prior to the boycott that: "A number of university employers have already announced that they will make wage deductions of up to 100% for staff taking part in the boycott, despite staff continuing to teach, lecture and support students as normal. The union has condemned the threats and said further strike action could be called in response."
What this means for graduations in Bristol
Both UWE and the University of Bristol's information is not definitive when it comes to graduation, however the likelihood is that grades may be delayed and marks for modules will be calculated differently in some cases for assessments. Bristol University has said it expects "most students' academic outcomes will not be affected, in which case normal academic regulations will apply" and it has put in place 'temporary academic regulations', while adding that "graduation ceremonies will run as normal this summer".
It is worth checking out the links below for specific information relating to your university, but know you are not alone - institutions across the country are in the same boat, as are their students.
For more information about UWE, click here.
For more information about University of Bristol, click here.
What this means for international students whose visa status may be dependent on receiving grades
The UCU says: "The union has sought legal advice on this specific issue regarding modules, courses or degrees that include international students whose visa status may be dependent on receiving grades on time. These modules, courses or degrees involving international students are part of the marking and assessment boycott (MAB), as such there is no distinction between modules, courses or degrees involving all international students or no international students at all.
"In terms of the impact of the MAB on international students, it is the university or higher education institution that holds the licence, granted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), to sponsor student visas and is responsible for managing matters related to its international students. Most universities will have experienced staff employed in student services or the international office to advise international students specifically.
"The local student union may also be able to provide advice to international students. It is not the role of university staff- other than those specifically employed to advise international students on visas and immigration - to establish solutions or mitigations regarding this issue."
What this means for student loans and course fees
Student Group Claim is made up of legal teams who are helping thousands of students claim financial compensation through no win, no fee group court claims. It's aimed at students whose university course/experience was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic or strikes.
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