Teaching strikes continue into 2026
UCU says its current two-week strike shouldn’t affect exams.
The Imperial branch of the University and College Union (UCU), a higher education trade union, is currently running a two-week “teaching-targeted” strike until Friday 16th January.
A representative for the UCU told Felix that “exam duties and marking” would not be affected, “unless the marking somehow involves a component of live teaching” such as a viva feedback.
Teaching had already seen significant disruptions before the winter break, when the UCU took a first two-week teaching strike, leading to widespread lecture cancellations. “How departments mitigate for lost teaching when grading a pre-written exam is not a matter for the union to comment on,” the UCU representative said.
The staff union obtained a sixth-month striking mandate in September, following a dispute with the College over its 2025-26 remuneration package.
In December, it ran an online “open meeting” on the pay dispute, with all Imperial staff and students invited to join, in which key Imperial stakeholders including the Provost and Chief Financial Officer took part.
An Imperial College London spokesperson said: “While we respect the right of our trade unions to undertake industrial action, Imperial staff are working hard to minimise disruption on teaching and assessment activities.
“Where teaching cannot be delivered as scheduled, it may be rescheduled, delivered by another member of staff, or delivered in a different format.”
