22/04/2026
BREAKING: UCUE ANNOUNCES MARKING BOYCOTT
The University and College Union’s Edinburgh branch (UCUE) has announced a marking boycott. The industrial action will begin on 1 May, meaning that participating staff will not mark assessments and exams from this point onwards.
An email from the University on Wednesday 22 April told students: “The ongoing industrial action is a challenging and disruptive time for many of you, particularly for those who are preparing for exams and submitting coursework and other assignments.” Students have been advised to “work on the basis that your studies will continue as normal,” and told “it is critical that you continue to submit any assessments as planned, adhere to all course deadlines, and attend and complete exams as planned.”
A similar marking boycott in 2023 saw students graduating with unclassified degrees, a fact which one fourth-year student said was “extremely worrying.” Nonetheless, the student went on to tell The Student that they “completely support” staff taking industrial action, as “the University’s budget cutting measures do seem extreme.”
Principal and Vice Chancellor Peter Mathieson said the University is “profoundly disappointed, disheartened and frustrated,” with the UCUE. He said the UCUE’s move was “completely unjustifiable and will add unnecessary strain on our students during an already challenging and important time.”
🖋️ Written by Amelie Jeeves
📰 Read the full article at thestudentnews.co.uk
