More than half of Oxford University students have said the statue of Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College should not be torn down, a survey has shown.

The Rhodes Must Fall Oxford movement has demanded the statue of the 19th century explorer and tycoon be removed as they claim it is racist and an unwanted symbol of colonialism.

But a survey by the university's student newspaper Cherwell has shown 54 per cent of students believe the statue should stay.

The survey was participated in by 957 students, about five per cent of the university's total number.

Among those students who identified as black, minority or ethnic (BME) more wanted the statue to be removed than thought it should stay- by 48 per cent to 45 per cent, with seven per cent saying they were not sure.

But half of BME students said the removal of the statute would not affect their personal experience at Oxford.

The study also found 55 per cent of students felt Rhodes Must Fall Oxford had a very or moderately negative impact on the reputation of the university.

In recent days senior figures at the university have waded into the row over the statue.

At the ceremony to swear in Professor Louise Richardson as vice-chancellor of the university on Tuesday chancellor Lord Patton criticised those who wanted to "rewrite history within the confines of their own notion of what is politically, culturally and morally correct."