'I've not had marks back since January' - Manchester students could face delays graduating as strikes intensify

Students at Manchester University could face delays to their graduation this year as marking boycotts threaten to impact final exams.

Teaching staff at universities across the UK are refusing to mark exam papers and dissertations, as ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions intensify.

University and College Union (UCU) members have been participating in the action short of a strike, which also impacts exam invigilation and the processing of marks, since April.

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The University of Manchester were unable to confirm that summer graduations would go ahead as planned when asked by the Manchester Evening News. In a statement, they said they 'are committed to doing absolutely everything we can to minimise the impact of the boycott on students'.

But students spoke of their fears and frustrations over the uncertainty, which could see graduates turned away from jobs or further study if they fail to graduate this summer.

Joe McFadden, 21, is a final-year History and Politics student. He said the boycott was causing heartache for friends with grade-dependent future offers, as well as chaos for those trying to plan their summers.

"It's just frustrating as we were the year that started in Covid and have had so much disruption to our studies," he said. "It's definitely annoying as everyone's planned their life around graduation already - I've already got hotels booked - which just makes the confusion worse."

One Master's student, who wished to remain anonymous, claims she had been told by a tutor that her graduation would be delayed. "I've not had any marks back since January," she said. "We have no idea how we are doing."

In a statement posted to their