Students threaten to boycott fees over strike

A THOUSAND students at Durham University have threatened to boycott tuition fee payments amid a lecturers’ marking strike this month, The Sunday Telegraph can disclose.

Staff at 44 universities have pledged to stop marking all work, including exams and dissertations, from next Monday. The move could mean students’ graduations are delayed by months, putting job offers at risk.

Durham students have told the university that unless they come to an agreement with the University and College Union, they will refuse to pay tuition fees next year. They say the move could cost the university more than £9million in lost revenue.

The letter demands refunds for teaching time missed due to strikes, and a framework to mitigate future industrial action.

A Durham University spokesman said: “We have been engaged in constructive discussions with our campus trade unions about local issues for some time … we have reached a point which has resulted in us now being able to make an offer.”