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Graduation

Industrial action during graduation

Last updated: 19/03/2024 11:41

Graduation will go ahead as planned. Here is further information on industrial action by UCU (University and College Union) members during graduation.

Graduation has always been a celebration event rather than a ceremony to confirm the award of degrees, and it will go ahead as planned.

This event is for students, their guests and staff to come together to acknowledge the achievements of our students, congratulate them and mark the end of their studies and new beginnings.

Graduation is arranged based on a student’s expected completion of their programme of study and without confirmation of their final award.

Marking and assessment boycott

We are doing everything we can to minimise the impact of industrial action on our students.

It is important to note that not all staff are involved in these disputes. It is UCU members who may choose to participate in the marking and assessment boycott. As such, the implications on assessment and the actions taken to minimise the impact of this industrial action will vary across academic schools.

Further information about industrial action, including marking, results, transcripts, who to contact for advice and support, appeals and the complaints process, is detailed on our student intranet. Current students can access the intranet with their university log-in.

Attending graduation

You can attend graduation if you have been awarded a provisional degree, you have not received an award at this stage, or your award is pending receipt of missing marks.

When attending Graduation, you should wear full academic dress for the programme you were studying on or completed; even if you have been awarded a provisional degree, you have not received an award at this stage, or your award is pending receipt of missing marks.

Receiving your Certificate and HEAR

In line with previous years, graduates do not receive their degree certificates during their graduation ceremonies. However, you will have access to an electronic certificate and your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) via our Verify portal and will be issued with a hard copy certificate as soon as possible. Find out more about receiving your certificate and HEAR on the student intranet.

Deferring your graduation

If you have a provisional result and would prefer to wait until you have your complete transcript to graduate, you can choose to defer your Graduation until next year. If you wish to defer, email: registrysupport@cardiff.ac.uk with your full name and student number.

Please also contact our partners to defer or cancel any bookings you have for academic dress or photography.

Strike action

Be aware that, as part of a national dispute pay and working conditions, there is the potential for picket line/s to be staged by UCU members taking part in strike action during Graduation week.

We do not anticipate that this action will affect your day, but we do want you to be aware of this and understand more about picket lines:

  • a picket line is where workers and union representatives stand outside a workplace and tell other people why they are taking strike action
  • pickets must not prevent people from going to work or entering the university and must not use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour that amounts to harassment
  • picketing must only be near an entrance or exit from the site or office at which the picket works.

Terms and conditions

If a ceremony cannot take place or is delayed due to circumstances beyond the control of Cardiff University, including (without limitation) fire, explosion, terrorist act (or threat of terrorist act), an act of God, pandemic, national mourning, or as a result of any industrial action or dispute involving Cardiff University, or the venue at which the awards ceremony is due to be held. Cardiff University will not be liable for any losses, direct or otherwise, incurred by the graduates or their guests.