Tuesday, 26 May 2026
We鈥檙e writing to update you on industrial action by the University and College Union (UCU) and to reassure you about how we are supporting you.
UCU has confirmed that industrial action will now continue in the form of continuous strike action from 1 June to 31 July 2026. The university remains open and operational throughout this period, and our absolute priority is to minimise disruption to you and your studies.
We understand that this news may be concerning, particularly at an important time in the academic year, and we are sorry for this. We also recognise that this is a key assessment period, so we will keep communications to what is essential at this moment in time. We are committed to sharing further information as the period of action continues.
Most students will not be affected by this action. Please continue to attend exams, submit work, and engage with your studies as usual unless you are told otherwise.
If any of your teaching or assessments are disrupted, we will contact you directly with relevant information. If you encounter unexpected disruption, you can .
Contingency regulations
The university has approved contingency regulations designed to protect you and the integrity of your degree. These set out how we will manage the situation academically if your assessments are affected.
These regulations were developed carefully with input from academic staff and student representatives, and approved by the university Senate. Any decisions under these regulations meet the same high academic standards as always.
You do not need to take any action at this stage but we want to make you aware that these regulations are in place. If your assessments are affected, the university may be able to make a progression or award decision using the contingency regulations. If this happens, we will contact you directly with the outcome and you will have the choice to accept it or to wait until full assessment information is available. We will ensure you have clear information to help you make this decision.
We will continue to keep you updated as the situation develops. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your department or student support services in the first instance.
Thank you for your patience and resilience. We are committed to supporting you through this period.