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Industrial action: How it may affect you

Strand Campus, King's College London

Updated on 28 February 2023

We know that you’re likely concerned about the upcoming industrial action. It’s a complex situation and there is information about it everywhere, from conversations on campus to posts on social and stories in the media.

The industrial action impacts 150 universities across the UK. Exactly what this action looks like will be slightly different at each university. That’s why we want to let you know what it will mean for students at King’s. You can also find out more about what King’s is doing to tackle the issues raised by the dispute.

Strike action will take place on the following days throughout February and March:

  • Week 1: Wednesday 1 February
  • Week 2: Thursday 9 February, Friday 10 February
  • Week 3: Tuesday 14 February, Wednesday 15 February, Thursday 16 February
  • Week 4: Tuesday 21 February, Wednesday 22 February, Thursday 23 February - Strike days not now going ahead
  • Week 5: Monday 27 February, Tuesday 28 February, Wednesday 1 March, Thursday 2 March - Strike days not now going ahead
  • Week 6: Wednesday 15 March, Thursday 16 March, Friday 17 March
  • Week 7: Monday 20 March, Tuesday 21 March, Wednesday 22 March

King’s will still be open. You’ll be able to access facilities and services across our campuses, including informal study spaces, libraries and computer rooms.

Impact on teaching

Some staff may choose to take strike action, which they have a legal right to do, but many staff will be working, so the impact will be different across faculties, departments and programmes. We’re working hard to ensure that wherever possible teaching and learning can continue, including the supervision of projects and dissertations, and so please continue to attend unless you are advised otherwise by your lecturer or department.

Assessments, assignments and deadlines

Assessments will go ahead as planned and you should also continue to submit assignments to existing deadlines unless informed otherwise. Faculties or departments will assess if industrial action has impacted on the learning and assessment of each module. We will ensure that students are not disadvantaged if learning has been missed due to strike action.

Advice and guidance

Your faculty or department should be your first point of contact if you have questions or concerns about your studies. Please also check your emails and KEATS regularly for updates.

Outside of strike days, make use of personal tutor and lecturer office hours to discuss your course content, upcoming assignments and essays.

Our Advice teams are available for advice relating to your studies, including financial and immigration advice. Please note that student visa conditions are not impacted by classes cancelled due to industrial action.

KCLSU Advice also offers impartial and confidential academic advice with issues affecting your studies.

Support when you need it

We completely understand that industrial action can cause additional stress and pressure on top of studying. If you are concerned about how this period may impact your studies, please speak with your department or personal tutors.

  • Wellbeing & Welfare – You can book an appointment with our team of advisors to discuss and support your personal wellbeing
  • Chaplaincy – Emotional support and practised listeners for students of all faiths and none
  • Togetherall – 24-hour confidential online support and wellbeing service

If you are struggling with your mental health you can register for counselling appointments and access different support options at student mental health support.

A range of support is available outside King’s usual working hours of 09.00–17.00, Monday to Friday. For more information, including about our out-of-hours counselling service King’s Counselling Online, please visit our article on Mental health support during evening, weekends & vacation periods.

Please note that the services above are unable to answer questions about the industrial action.

More information

For more information on industrial action and what it means for you, please see our detailed Q&A for students on Student Services Online. You can also contact your faculty or department if you have questions about your course.

Keep up to date with what’s going on around King’s on the Student News Hub and King’s Student app. You can also find information on a range of extra-curricular activities and events through King’s Edge.

Complaints

The university is committed to make sure you can complete your programmes of study, and to progress and graduate as anticipated.

If you feel that your education has been impacted, you have the right to complain through a formal process. We consider each complaint on its own merits, on a case-by-case basis and outcomes will be specific to individual circumstances. This will include consideration of the ways in which mitigation may have been applied where teaching had not taken place. 

Please read the information on making a complaint about industrial action that is available on Student Services Online. Support is also available from KCLSU’s Advice Service on submitting your complaint.