In March 2020, the University of the West of Scotland altered their degree classification grading systems to assist honour students finalising their degree when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

This alteration allowed students who were studying when the pandemic hit to receive their degree classification based on their best 3 modules they studied that year. 

However, this academic year the degree algorithm has been changed back to the standard classification system, where students must gain 70% + to be classified with a first class honours degree.

Many students have been struggling at home with online learning for the past 4 months, being the first ever year to complete their honours degree fully online. Many of us either working overtime due to the pandemic, having sick children at home or lacking motivation having been furloughed and have seen a significant impact on our mental health from studying online so far.

Yet UWS have stated no changes will be made to their classification system this year. As 4th year students we believe this is a very unreasonable and unfair stance to take considering the adjustments UWS implement earlier this year. 

We hope this petition can spread awareness of the difficulties students are facing just now and hope in turn UWS will consider this regarding their grading systems.