More than 1,000 final year students at Durham University could be left without a degree this summer because of the marking boycott disrupting universities across the UK.
Durham, one of 145 universities affected by the industrial action over pay and working conditions called by the University and College Union (UCU), said about 20% of its 5,300 final year students would be unable to graduate.
A spokesperson for the university said that about 80% of final year students would receive a classified degree or an interim award by 14 July but that the remainder could be delayed by the boycott.
“The university is working round the clock to ensure all undergraduate students, once all marks are in and assessed, receive their degree,” the spokesperson said.
“Durham undergraduate degrees are heavily weighted towards final examinations and projects, so we are particularly affected by the timing of the boycott. The impact of the boycott has been significant in some departments.”
Earlier this month the acting vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge said the “severe impact” of the boycott meant half of the university’s 4,500 final year students would not be able to graduate unless the marking backlog was cleared, as well as 90% of postgraduate students on taught courses.
