Aber graduation after exam crisis

Many students feared they would not graduate a few weeks ago

Graduation ceremonies have been held at Aberystwyth University after fears eight weeks ago that many students would not even sit their exams.

The university was the worst-hit in Wales by a UK-wide lecturers' pay dispute, which was resolved last month.

The university said 112 people had received estimated marks after their exams could not be rescheduled, and 101 of those had graduated this week.

One has chosen to re-sit exams, while another 10 have yet to make a decision.

Lecturers in the UK struck a deal last month and suspended a three-month boycott of exam and course work marking.

At the height of the dispute, more than 50 Aberystwyth exams were cancelled.

When I look back at my time at Aberystwyth I had two great years, but the third went wrong Languages student Chris Howell

However, nearly all were rescheduled and sat between the end of May and 2 June.

The university said it had offered 112 students what it called an indicative class of degree, which was based on their available marks.

John Harries, of the university, said: "In academic terms this year has been an outstanding success for the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and our warmest congratulations to everyone who has been celebrating graduation this week. We wish them every success in the future."

European languages student Chris Howell, 22, originally from Surrey, graduated with a 2.1 degree.

He said: "All my exams were cancelled and then rescheduled.

"I was a borderline first, but in the end I was so disillusioned that I sort of gave up. When I look back at my time at Aberystwyth I had two great years, but the third went wrong."

Law student Sioned Williams, 20, from Criccieth, Gwynedd, who had two exams cancelled, said: "My exams were reset for the end of term so everything worked out in the end."

Miss Williams, who had a 2.2 degree, added: "After a worrying few months I'm relieved that I've finally graduated".

During the dispute students in Aberystwyth supported lecturers

Ben Gray, the new president of Aberystwyth Guild of Students, said: "The guild is thankful that the university has given students the opportunity to re-sit exams at the university's expense.

"This was a key part in the contingency plan that the university developed in partnership with the guild."

Aberystwyth was affected by the dispute throughout May, but some other universities in Wales claimed their exam schedule was not affected.

Swansea University said it rescheduled a "small number," but none were cancelled.