North East University students worrying amid lecturer marking boycott
Last updated 22nd Jun 2023
Dissertations, deadlines and disputes, students throughout the UK have endured a tough year at university following the ongoings of many strikes that have taken place.
Students have recently raised concerns that their degrees may be unfairly awarded amid a marking boycott by some lecturers as part of a pay dispute.
Representatives from the University and College Union (UCU) voted for a marking and assessment boycott to commence from Thursday 20th April.
This means that they are asking UCU members in universities to refuse all summative marking and associated duties.
It could forecast in lecturers marking work but not officially recording the grade or entering it into the university system. This is due to the strike actions that means many will no longer carry out duties beyond what their contract states.
We understand that at least one north east university is considering numerous measures to graduate students based on the possibility of dissertations going unmarked.
One of these measures would be qualifying students based on an ‘average grade’ of marks they have received on other modules across their second and third year, with the latter carrying a heavier weight.
Kai Palmer, a final year media student at Newcastle University, expressed his thoughts on the ongoing marking boycott:
“I think the majority of students completely understand why university staff want to take action against the government, and would support them in their fight for better workload and pay.
“However, for many of us this boycott comes as another blow to the Uni experience.
“We’ve had disruption due to industrial action for the past couple of years too, including the upcoming marking boycott.”
Many students have spent the best part of the last year working on their dissertations, and Palmer added that it would be a shame to see “all that effort” count for nothing.
“Northumbria University is taking all reasonable steps to limit the impact of industrial action, including the marking boycott, and is prioritising the educational continuity and timely graduation of all our students.
“We have advised students that all work should be submitted as usual, and that it will be returned and marked within the normal timescales.
Those students who are due to graduate this summer will do so on time, with their degree award finalised within the normal timeframe, according to their course type.”
A spokesperson for Newcastle University said:
“We’re extremely disappointed by the ongoing industrial action and the impact and anxiety that it’s causing for some of our students.
“Our priority is to minimise the impact on students affected and all work will be marked, although some may be delayed.
“Our no detriment approach will ensure, where possible, that all our students can graduate or continue on their education or career journey without being disadvantaged. It will ensure we maintain academic standards and the integrity of our degrees.”
Durham University have also informed us that they will attempt to reduce the impact on all students.
A spokesperson from the establishment said:
“We know that the impact of some staff choosing not to mark assessments is of concern to our students.
“Detailed mitigations are in place to support all students, with a particular focus on finalists. Students can be confident that our top priority is to ensure they can continue with their education or plans for the future.
“We are doing all we can to support our students through this period and are keeping them updated with the latest information and guidance.”
In an email to students, Durham University admitted:
“It is not possible to know how many members of staff will take part in the marking and assessment boycott.”
However, they did reassure that “detailed mitigations are in place to minimise disruption and support our students, with a particular focus on finalists and master’s students completing this year.”
Sunderland University have said that “the impact of the strikes on their students does not appear to be particularly substantial.”
It's understood that Northumbria University have completed all their dissertation marking.
Referencing the strikes themselves, the Government say:
“Whilst we need a resolution, it’s the universities responsibility to deal with the pay and pensions of their staff.”