Edinburgh MSPs call for action to support students graduating without a degree

Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has called upon the University of Edinburgh to urgently rectify the situation that has meant thousands of students are graduating without a degree classification.

A longstanding dispute over staff pay and working conditions led to a marking and assessment boycott in April, meaning a third of students are graduating with their final marks withheld indefinitely.

Alongside Labour MSP Sarah Boyack and Conservative MSP Miles Briggs, Mr Cole-Hamilton has written to the Principal of the University Peter Mathieson to urgently secure a resolution.

Commenting, Mr Cole Hamilton said:

"Graduating from university is a milestone in one's life and is supposed to be a day filled with celebration and reflection of one's accomplishments.

"Yet thousands of students at the University of Edinburgh will be graduating filled with disappointment and uncertainty about future employment and education prospects."

"Students and staff at the university alike feel woefully let down by university management."

"That is why I've joined with my colleagues Sarah Boyack and Miles Briggs to urge the university finds a solution that secures students' final marks in a timely manner."

"The University must protect the futures of its young people graduating and uphold its duties to students and staff."