UK employers told to plan for students not being able to graduate

Delays in degrees being awarded because of ongoing marking boycott could leave those with job offers in limbo

Published on
June 15, 2023
Last updated
June 16, 2023
Source: iStock

Register to continue

Why register?

  • Registration is free and only takes a moment
  • Once registered, you can read 3 articles a month
  • Sign up for our newsletter
Please
or
to read this article.

Related articles

Reader's comments (2)

So, if (IF) the award of Degree X to ‘Graduate’ Y is delayed AND if (IF) that delay directly leads to Y having a job offer rescinded, then Y has suffered a financial loss of salary (albeit a loss possibly mitigated by quickly finding alternative employment even if temporary and paying less) because there has been breach of the U-S contract and thus Y is due damages, with U probably not able to rely on its force majeure exception/limitation clause (likely to be an unfair term to try and exclude liability for disruption in delivery of the ‘service’ because the ‘trader’ faces industrial action by its employees - see May 2023 CMA guidance on the student as consumer). Conceivably Y is also modest damages for hassle/anxiety. Damages by way of a partial refund of ‘price’ under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 also due, of course, for any significant loss of teaching because of such action where the U can’t provide the missing teaching within a reasonable time and at no material inconvenience to the customer. See Farrington & Palfreyman on The Law of Higher Education (OUP, third edition, 2023) for treatment of The Student as Consumer.
Or maybe the students could show some gratitude and give greater support to the teachers who have bestowed upon the them the knowledge and skills which will have significantly enhanced their ability to find better jobs leading to lifelong financial prosperity. Most students aren't even aware that their tuition fees don't even cover course costs in some cases. Can I sue for the hassle /anxiety I have felt as my pay has been repeatedly eroded in real terms year after year or simply because my life hasn't turned out exactly the way I wanted ?

Sponsored

Featured jobs

See all jobs
ADVERTISEMENT