Molly, a 25-year-old student from Manchester Metropolitan University, experienced heartbreak after an erroneous email cancelled her graduation just days before the ceremony. She studied Primary Education with QTS and had successfully qualified as a teacher, but for a moment, doubt clouded her achievement.
Molly was among hundreds who received an email on Friday, July 17, at 12:48 pm, stating she had failed the year. The email read: “Following the recent assessment boards, we have been informed that you did not receive enough credits to be eligible for this year’s Graduation ceremonies. Unfortunately, this means that we will have to cancel your registration for the upcoming ceremonies. Any guest tickets you have bought will be refunded to your original payment card within five working days. On the successful completion of your reassessments, or on achieving your goal award, you will be invited to the graduation ceremonies in November 2027 and we look forward to seeing you there.”
Panic and confusion
Students from the Manchester Fashion Institute and the School of Education received the email, which was individually addressed with each recipient's name and student ID, making it appear legitimate. Despite receiving results on July 7, many feared a marking error. Molly said, “To say my heart sank is an understatement. It was just horrible, I just kept thinking I already had my QTS certificate so how could it have been right? But I was just worried and panicking.”
Molly called her mother in distress, then had to compose herself for a nail appointment with a client. During the appointment, she phoned the Student Hub helpline and worried about her job in Dubai, which she had secured. “I just thought, am I going to be homeless? You just don’t know because if I hadn't passed, I couldn’t have taken up my job in Dubai and so I couldn’t move and my flat is literally on the market,” she said.
Apology and graduation
At 1:06 pm, the university sent a follow-up email apologizing for the mistake. Molly missed it during her appointment but later saw her course group chat blowing up. At 2:31 pm, tutors also emailed an apology. Molly said, “They just said we apologise for the confusion, it was so much more than confusion, it was basically heartbreak.”
Molly and other affected students graduated on Monday, July 20. She said, “It was a long day, but we still had a great day, it didn’t overshadow the moment at all.” A Manchester Metropolitan University spokesperson said: “A number of students from our Manchester Fashion Institute and School of Education received an email in error from the University, which incorrectly said they had failed to gain the credits they needed to graduate this summer. No other schools or faculties were affected. The mistake was quickly spotted, and a follow-up email to apologise and ask students to disregard the email was sent minutes later. This was followed by a text message to the affected students. This summer we are celebrating the achievements of more than 12,000 students as they graduate from Manchester Met and we are delighted to be welcoming them to mark the occasion with their friends and families. All students who received the email in error are due to graduate at today’s (July 20) ceremonies.”
