Industrial action during graduation

Last updated: 22/04/2025 08:33

Information about industrial action and Graduation this year.

University and College Union (UCU) recently received a mandate for strike action. UCU have now confirmed that industrial action will include a marking and assessment boycott (MAB) starting 6 May, and strike days on 1 May, 6 May, 9 June and 23-27 June.

Graduation ceremonies will go ahead as planned in July. If you have received your invitation, please reply to let us know you’d like to attend and continue making preparations for your day.

Not all staff will participate in industrial action and the level of disruption will vary across schools and programmes. We will do everything we can to minimise the impact for our students. This includes working with Examining Boards and ensuring all degrees are awarded while maintaining academic standards.

Attending Graduation

Graduation ceremonies do not confer your degree, they are celebratory events to mark the completion of your course. You can attend graduation if you expect to successfully complete your award, even if the award of your degree or its classification (1st, 2:1 etc) is not yet confirmed as a result of the marking and assessment boycott.

Our first round of Graduation invites has been sent. Contact us if you do not receive your invitation by the end of April.

Deferring Graduation

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

Cancelling bookings

If you have made bookings for graduation tickets, academic dress or photography but are unable to graduate please cancel your bookings.

Receiving your Certificate and HEAR

As in previous years, graduates do not receive their degree certificate during their graduation ceremony. An electronic certificate and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) is provided via our Verify portal and a hard copy certificate is mailed to graduates as soon as possible. Find out more about receiving your certificate and HEAR on the student intranet.

Strike action