Strathclyde Students’ Union has launched a petition to abolish graduation fees after the release of new figures from NUS Scotland.

NUS Scotland has revealed that students may lose up to £225 in graduation costs, taken from collected data from winter graduations across all Scottish universities and colleges.

Strathclyde is among 70% of Scottish universities with official graduation fees in place, charging students £35 to pick up their diploma. This sum does not account for mandatory robe hire or purchasing of specific academic dress, which boost costs up to between £80 and £225.

“These fees make attending graduation inaccessible for some and leave a sour taste for others,” said Matt Crilly, President of the Strathclyde Student Union.

The NUS report has enlivened the debate surrounding graduation fees. Many student institutions, including the Strathclyde Union, call for them to be abolished.

“After years of hard work, everyone should be able to attend their ceremony and not worry about the cost,” said Crilly.

While some students may be aware of the official graduation cost, many are surprised by the additional costs, which students have previously not been made aware of in appropriate time.

“These are costs I was not expecting, and have not budgeted for,” said fourth year BA Honours Marketing student Amy Krawczyck.

NUS Scotland has officially appealed to universities and colleges, urging them to consider the effect graduation fees may have on their least affluent students.

Sign the Strathclyde Students’ Union petition here to end graduation fees.

By Emma Olsson