CONCERNED students have criticised Oxford University for 'deliberately misleading' them about the scheduling of their graduation ceremonies

The soon-to-be graduates who completed four-year DPhil courses at the institution last year, were due to graduate this week and next. However, because of the coronavirus pandemic the university informed them 'last minute' that they will have to graduate 'in absentia'

This means that no ceremony would ever take place – even after the government-enforced lockdown is over and social restrictions have been lifted.

Instead, students' degrees are conferred in their absence and then posted to them.

Students said they were told 'they have no choice in the matter' when they enquired with their colleges, which is why they launched an online petition to fight the decision.

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In a strongly-worded letter to Oxford University's vice chancellor Professor Louise Richardson that was sent earlier in April, organisers of the protest wrote: "While we respect and appreciate the university’s decision to protect the safety of all involved by cancelling the May ceremonies in the first instance, we are writing to protest the compulsory conferral of degrees in absentia as a result.

"We ask that the university allows students the opportunity to join future graduation ceremonies once it is safe for these to resume."

Students also argued that the university was 'deliberately' delaying communication with them, so they did not have any time to 'mobilise and seek address'.

Based on correspondence between people graduating in the upcoming weeks and the university that was obtained by the Oxford Mail, on March 13 students were notified that the ceremonies in May would not go ahead because of the pandemic.

More than a month later, on April 17, they were told that will all be graduating in absentia, instead of events being postponed.

Two doctoral students affected by the sudden decision who asked not to be named said: "Even given the circumstances, this is highly unusual as once you finish your studies you are usually entitled to attend a graduation ceremony anytime during your lifetime with no restrictions on how long ago you completed your course."

The petition was signed by 2,314 people.

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Since then, Oxford University has made a drastic U-turn on its original decision, and while current social restrictions do not allow any big events to be held, students are now given a choice to either attend a modified ceremony or receive their degree in absentia.

Those who are registered on the cancelled events will be offered a ceremony on a future date, which will depend on a range of factors, including the development of the pandemic in the coming months.

It is possible, however, that it could take two years or more for all degrees to be conferred, Oxford university warned.

A spokesperson for the institution confirmed that the problem 'has now been addressed' and that 'all students are aware of their options'.

No decisions have yet been taken about ceremonies from September onwards.