UCU strike days: What dates are university strikes planned in February and March 2023
More than 70,000 staff at 150 universities across the UK will strike for 18 days between February and March in disputes over pay, conditions and pensions, it has been confirmed.
Over 2.5 million students will be affected by the strikes, which was called by the University and College Union (UCU).
They join the nurses, ambulance workers and train workers who have been walking out of work in respective disputes over pay and terms and conditions.
The first university walkout was on 1 February,..
On February 3, the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) - which represents university employers - made the UCU a pay offer worth 4 to 5 per cent, which the union has said is insufficient; and so will walk out over the next two months until a new offer is made.
The UCEA has said the current offer is worth up to 7%.
But if the dispute is resolved before the planned strike dates, it’s possible that some strikes may be suspended or cancelled.
Many universities have advised that unless their lecturers or tutors have informed them they are striking, they should assume that teaching is taking place as usual.
Therefore, many universities across the country have said that students can attend classes, use the libraries and facilities as they will remain open throughout the strike action.
However, it is important that students check their university website for the latest advice.
How much are university lecturers paid?
According to the UCU 2018/19 HE Single Pay Spine and the average 2019/20 grading levels, the average salaries of research assistants, lecturers, and professors mean that an associate lecturer can be paid an average salary of £30,760 a year.
Meanwhile, a university lecturer could see an average yearly income of around £40,761 per year.
And a Senior Lecturer may be paid around £51,590, while a professor will be paid, on average, a whopping £90,891 per year.
Speaking out about the strikes, UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “There is a clear route out of these disputes, but at present vice-chancellors lack the political will to take it. They are failing staff who want to get back to work, and students who want to get on with their studies.
“Students understand that staff working conditions are their learning conditions and we are proud to have their support in these disputes. A system that relies on low pay and the rampant use of insecure contracts is a system which fails everyone.
“A resolution can be reached, but that is in the gift of university vice-chancellors who need to urgently reassess their priorities and deliver a deal that benefits staff and students.”
Here is everything else you need to know about the strikes:
When are the university strikes?
The union will strike on the following dates:
Tuesday 21 February
Wednesday 22 February
Thursday 23 February
Monday 27 February
Tuesday 28 February
Wednesday 1 March
Thursday 2 March
Thursday 16 March
Friday 17 March
Monday 20 March
Tuesday 21 March
Wednesday 22 March
Which universities will be affected by the strike action?
Here is the full list of universities that will be affected:
Aberdeen, The University of
Abertay University
Aberystwyth University
Anglia Ruskin University
Arts University Bournemouth
Aston University
Bangor University
Bath Spa University
Bath, University of
Bedfordshire, University of
Birkbeck, University of London
Birmingham, The University of
Bishop Grosseteste University
Bolton, The University of
Bournemouth University
Bradford, University of
Brighton, University of
Bristol, University of
Brunel University
Buckinghamshire New University
Cambridge, University of
Canterbury Christ Church University
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff University
Central Lancashire, University of
Chester, University of
Chichester, University of
City, University of London
Courtauld Institute of Art
Coventry University
Cranfield University
Cumbria, University of
De Montfort University
Derby, University of
Dundee, The University of
Durham University
East Anglia, University of
East London, University of
Edge Hill University
Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh, University of
Essex, University of
Exeter, University of
Falmouth University
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow, University of
Gloucestershire, University of
Goldsmiths, University of London
Greenwich, University of
Harper Adams University
Heriot-Watt University
Hertfordshire, University of
Huddersfield, The University of
Hull, The University of
Imperial College London
Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
Keele University
Kent, The University of
King’s College London
Kingston University
Lancaster, University of
Leeds Arts University
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Trinity University
Leeds, The University of
Leicester, University of
Lincoln, University of
Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA)
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Liverpool, University of
London Metropolitan University
London School of Economics
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
London South Bank University
Loughborough University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester, The University of
Middlesex University
Newcastle University
Newman University
Northampton, The University of
Northumbria University
Norwich University of the Arts
Nottingham, The University of
Open University
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford, University of
Plymouth Marjon University
Plymouth, University of
Portsmouth, University of
Queen Margaret University
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen’s University Belfast
Reading, University of
Robert Gordon University
Roehampton University
Rose Bruford College
Royal Academy of Music
Royal Agricultural University
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Royal College of Art
Royal College of Music
Royal Holloway, University of London
Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Salford, The University of
Sams at University of the Highlands and Islands
Senate House, University of London
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield, The University of
Soas, University of London
Solent University
South Wales, University of
Southampton, University of
St Andrews, University of
St George’s, University of London
St Mary’s University College, Belfast
St Mary’s University, Twickenham
Staffordshire University
Stirling, The University of
Stranmillis University College
Strathclyde, University of
Suffolk, University of
Sunderland, University of
Surrey, University of
Sussex, University of
Swansea University
Teesside, University of
Trinity Laban
University for the Creative Arts
Ulster University
University College Birmingham
University College London
University of the Arts London
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Warwick, University of
West London, University of
West of England, University of the
West of Scotland, University of the
Westminster, University of
Winchester, The University of
Wolverhampton, University of
Worcester, University of
Wrexham Glyndwr University
Writtle University College
York, University of
York St John University
Strikes have affected UK campuses for the past five years, but the latest are set to be the biggest yet.
The action will include academics, librarians and other university staff.