Posthumous degree question

[trolly61]

My daughter passed away recently after completing the second full time year of her BA(Hons) degree. She also did a one year full time Diploma in Art & Design before starting her degree. As it meant so much to her to get her degree and she worked so hard, I enquired at the university if perhaps they would be able to award her degree posthumously, they said they would look into it. I have just had notification that they will award her a Higher Education Certificate as this is what she is entitled to with the credits she had accumulated. Im so disappointed as I read somewhere that as long as you have completed two thirds of the degree, a posthumous degree can be granted. She also did the Art & Design Foundation Diploma, so surely this counts for something too? A Higher Education certificate is not the full degree. Can anyone tell me if this is the case or should I appeal against this decision? It would mean so much to us. Thanks

[Hopkirk]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

While I have no knowledge to assist, I suggest that you write a personal letter directly to the university Vice Chancellor. He or she may take a more sympathetic view than the person with the rule book that you have dealt with so far.

Good luck.

[trolly61]

Its the Vice Chancellor who is giving us the Higher Education certificate,so I guess it was he who made the decision. Apparently my daughters course leader had to practically beg him to give it to us at a small ceremony, instead of posting to us, she said she tried her best, so I doubt he will listen to me. :(

[albaqwerty]

Keep on at them Trolly x
Am so sorry about your loss, if it wouldn't heap more pain on you and family, why not write a letter to your local newspaper saying how upset and saddened you all are at the response you've had.

[mazie]

Really sorry to hear of Your loss.

[DTCwordfan]

sorry to hear of your tragic loss, trolly, and you are obviously so proud of what she achieved.

I would do some research work as to who is on the governing council of the Uni (anybody well known) and write to them, cc. the Vice Chancellor, laying out your case. Keep it factual as far as poss, though a little emotion will show your sincerity and the appeal that the Uni has a caring side......

[DTCwordfan]

Or to the Chancellor - would you name the Uni here so any AB alumni want might to run with this for/with you.....

[trolly61]

The Uni is UCA, University of Creative Arts in London. Thanks for your replies

[factor-fiction]

Sorry to hear about this, trolly61. I have a son doing a similar degree course at the moment and I can't begin to imagine how it must feel to be in your position.

A post-A level Foundation Diploma is a common requirement to an Art/Graphics/Design type degree. It doesn't count towards the degree so I don't think that point is worth pursuing.

As far as granting posthumous degrees is concerned I don't know what the rules or usual practices are. I am not totally surprised that the university takes this view. I know it's not quite the same thing but if someone passes away a few months before sitting GCSEs I doubt the GCSEs would be awarded posthumously. On the other hand universities seem to offer honorary degrees to people who have not done any studies at all so it seems wrong that your daughter can't be awarded something similar.

You can appeal but my feeling is that she would only be credited with the stage she was up to, which is deemed equivalent to HEC.

A compromise may be to ask for her to be awarded an Ordinary degree or an Aegrotat degree ( http://en.wikipedia.o...ssification#Aegrotat) rather than an Honours degree- it's worth asking

[trolly61]

Factor30, Id be quite happy with that! Thanks for this info, Ive emailed the Course Leader and asked her to put this to them. She deserves a degree, not just a certificate.

[dave1948]

In my year at University er was someone who hardly attended and certainly took no final exams who was awarded an Aegrotat (s/he is ill). If your daughter was following a course assiduously it would not be unreasonable for a posthumous award though I doubt whether there is precdent for this.

[DTCwordfan]

http://ucreative.ac.uk/board-governors

as to the Board of UCA

[Buenchico]

Regrettably, there might be a technical problem in that (unlike a certificate or diploma) a university degree isn't officially a 'qualification'. It's legally admission into a class of membership of the university.

So, for example, people who join certain strict religious groups (which don't permit them to belong to any other organisation) have to request that their degree is withdrawn by their alma mater, whereas they are permitted to retain their certificates and diplomas.

So when a graduate of a university dies, their degree dies with them, as they are no longer a member of that university.

Chris

[JonnyBoy12]

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that. What did she die of, if you do not mind my asking? Young women do not normally die in the prime of their youth. I would not like to speak for any University but if you explain the situation I would think that there is a strong case for her getting her degree posthumously.