MORE than 100 students based at the Warrington campus of the University of Chester are awaiting the outcome of a national dispute that has threatened their graduations.

As the Warrington Guardian went to press, lecturers across the country were voting on a proposed resolution to the wages row which looked as though it would stop final year students from graduating.

Around 150 students at the Crab Lane campus who are due to graduate this month and next have been affected.

Across the country, lecturers refused to set work or mark exams or course work and were pushing for a 23 per cent pay rise over three years.

At the University of Chester, examinations have been sat and essays and course work completed. Staff marked the work and provided informal feedback to students but were not handing out formal marks.

Speaking before the proposed agreement was put on the table, Professor Tim Wheeler, vice chancellor, said: "The university is sympathetic to the issues that have been raised.

"However, the industrial action, which will culminate in the withholding of marks for examination boards in June, could potentially have a delaying effect on the graduation of students.

"This would be regrettable as it could compromise students' career aspirations."

Rick Hall, the students' union president, said: "We support the lecturers in asking for a pay increase but we cannot condone any action involving students in any way. Degrees are not cheap."

The University and College Union has agreed an increase of 13.1 per cent. It initially turned down this figure but reassessed it following an independent review of the money available for pay.

hcartwright@guardiangrp.co.uk