Student Administration

Industrial Action 2023

Updates and information for students on industrial action at the University.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) have voted to take strike action on:

  • Wednesday 15 – Friday 17 March
  • Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 March

Action short of a strike has been continuous and effective from 23 November 2022. This includes UCU members working to contractual hours and duties only and not volunteering to do more; not rescheduling classes and lectures cancelled due to strike action; not covering for absent colleagues; removing uploaded materials related to, and/or not sharing materials related to, lectures or classes that will be or have been cancelled as a result of strike action.

While any strike action will naturally have an impact on the University’s operations, please be aware that not all staff will be taking part in the action and we will aim to keep disruption to you to a minimum. 

Reasons for the industrial action

This action is due to the University and College Union’s (UCU) disputes over pay, working conditions and pension cuts.

You can read more about the UCU position on the University and College Union website:

University and College Union

Our response

The University of Edinburgh, working alongside Universities UK (UUK) – which represents around 150 universities across the UK – is continuing to engage with UCU on the USS dispute. We hope that the sector and UCU can resolve the dispute without the need for further industrial action.

We want to minimise the impact on you as much as possible and will work to limit significant disruption to the delivery of learning and teaching, assessment, progression and student experience, whilst maintaining academic standards.

Guidance for students

Below, you will find further advice and guidance to support you during the industrial action. As preparations continue, we will add further information and will regularly update you. 

Exams and assessment

Graduating students

 Exchanges and placements

International students

 Postgraduate Researchers

Contact us

If you have any further questions about the industrial action, please email ucu-action-queries@ed.ac.uk.