Postgraduate applicant is set to sue University's St Hugh's college (From thisisoxfordshire)

Postgraduate applicant is set to sue University's St Hugh's college

11:30am Monday 21st January 2013 in News

AN OXFORD University college is being sued over alleged discrimination after a potential postgraduate student was barred from taking up a place.

Damien Shannon, 26, says he was turned away from St Hugh’s College to study economic history because he didn’t have access to £21,000.

The college has been accused of selecting by wealth, and will fight the case in Manchester County Court.

University spokesman Matt Pickles would not comment on the case, and added that St Hugh’s was its own legal entity. But he said: “The requirement postgraduate students provide a financial guarantee to take up their place at Oxford is made clear to potential applicants. Wherever they study, all postgraduates need to cover fees and living costs. “Oxford requires a guarantee – it is in the interest of both the university and students to prevent drop-outs.

“UK postgraduates in Britain do not have access to a student loan and bursary system, and Oxford has been vocal about the pressing need to make postgraduate admissions needs-blind.

“We work very hard towards this aim and offer more financial support than most other UK universities, but our aim is to offer support across the board.”