Can a department revoke a degree, once granted by the university?

Question

I’ve just completed a graduate degree at a university in the UK, as an older student.

The department, IMO, is a mess of politics, fickle actions, and backstabbing. Whilst here, I have been pushed, abused, called names, intentionally failed and ignored.

A few others have suffered the same fate and it has dealt more than a few low blows, so much so that it has made me severely depressed.

I finally got my course completed, received notification of passing and confirmation of my degree award.

Recently, I learnt that I may be facing yet another confusion with my department (regarding my choosing to publish dissertation findings with a certain professor (dissertation supervisor) and not including the department head).

Please can you let me know if my degree can be taken away, i.e, revoked, from now to graduation ceremony? (No plagiarism or fraud)

My question specifically is, can a whimsical and angry department head revoke a degree once granted by the university?

Answer 1

Absent plagiarism, fraud, or other academic sanction, it would be difficult to revoke an awarded degree. There would have to be strong evidence for doing so, and it’s not often attempted, in part because of the likelihood of legal action.

So, I would normally say don’t worry about it. However, in a dysfunctional department, anything could happen, and you should be prepared to act in that unlikely event.

Answer 2

Can a whimsical and angry department head revoke a degree once granted by the university?

No, because your degree was granted by the university (e.g. the senate or other such body) not by the department head. At worst s/he could initiate a procedure to possibly revoke the degree, but there you would not be at the mercy of his whim.

_{Caveat: There is a remote theoretical possibility that somehow in your university, departments grant degrees themselves. Even in that case, the department head cannot revoke a degree him/herself, and would need the appropriate forum to do so (same forum which grants degree). But again, this is extremely unlikely.}

Answer 3

Your university would normally have a policy document on this subject and you might try contacting the registrar's office and asking if they have one. Don't go into details why with them.

For reference this is from Swansea's Revocation Of Awards document :

Revocation of Award

The University may, on the recommendation of the Senate, revoke an award and all privileges connected therewith, having determined that there is good cause to do so. This may include where a person

• has after investigation, been found to have obtained an award by fraud or deception, including unfair practice;

• obtained an award due to an administrative error or irregularities in the conduct of the Examining Board.

There's an explanation of the procedures required as well on that linked page.

Recently, I learnt that I may be facing yet another confusion with my department (regarding my choosing to publish dissertation findings with a certain professor and not including the department head).

There's a possibility this could be construed as academic misconduct, although the details would be important in making that assessment.

I think your best bet is simply to see what happens, rather than anticipating the worst. Again there should be a very detailed policy document on this available from the university.

I think if it's a case of genuine mistake it's very unlikely much would happen at all, but you'd probably need to have committed some major infraction (misrepresenting a substantial body of work as your own would be typical) to suffer a loss of the whole award.

If at all possible try and discuss the issue with the people involved and ask for advice on how to rectify any error by e.g. contacting the publishers and seeking to make a correction.

I don’t think I’ll have the strength to act, if something like that happens. I’ll want to give up on everything.

Your comments make you sound somewhat depressed. I suspect you're suffering somewhat from a difficult process qualifying and may have actual clinical depression. You might consult a GP about this, rather than anything else. Final stages of qualification can do this to people - it's very stressful.

Answer 4

Not unless you cheated to get it. Or if you do something really nasty like crimes against humanity.

I am sorry that you are going through this. It sounds like your department is acting like pompous idiots. I can understand that they prefer students to complete their degrees as this represents well on them. They also want people to go into successful academic careers, for the same reason. But the reality is that you need to decide for yourself what is best for you. Pay no attention to their pressure.

It is a shame you will not be able to remain in good standing with them. These academic contacts are important, but certainly, it is not going to end your career to lose them. Ultimately, they will also benefit from your success in the private sector. And they know this. They are just giving you a guilt trip which is absolutely reprehensible.