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Oxford University college faces cash discrimination claim Oxford University college faces cash discrimination claim
(about 1 hour later)
A court is being asked to decide whether a student's human rights were breached when an Oxford college turned him down on financial grounds.A court is being asked to decide whether a student's human rights were breached when an Oxford college turned him down on financial grounds.
Damien Shannon from Salford alleges St Hugh's College is discriminating against poorer students. Damien Shannon, 26, from Salford alleges St Hugh's College is discriminating against poorer students.
He says the college withdrew the offer of a place because he could not prove he had £12,900 for living costs. He wants the restriction removed.He says the college withdrew the offer of a place because he could not prove he had £12,900 for living costs. He wants the restriction removed.
The college will ask Manchester County Court to dismiss the claim later.The college will ask Manchester County Court to dismiss the claim later.
Mr Shannon wants the court to order the Oxford University college to remove the financial rule, claiming it contravenes the Human Rights Act, and to allow him to take up his postgraduate place in the next academic year.Mr Shannon wants the court to order the Oxford University college to remove the financial rule, claiming it contravenes the Human Rights Act, and to allow him to take up his postgraduate place in the next academic year.
'Arbitrary figure''Arbitrary figure'
In his claim to the court he states: "It is my contention that the effect of the financial conditions of entry is to select students on the basis of wealth and to exclude those not in possession of it."In his claim to the court he states: "It is my contention that the effect of the financial conditions of entry is to select students on the basis of wealth and to exclude those not in possession of it."
Mr Shannon alleges his place on the year-long economic and social history course was withdrawn due to the "arbitrary figure" the college had set.Mr Shannon alleges his place on the year-long economic and social history course was withdrawn due to the "arbitrary figure" the college had set.
He said the sum required by the college was "not obtainable" for most people.He said the sum required by the college was "not obtainable" for most people.
He had calculated he could live off the £9,000 he had access to after taking out a loan to cover his tuition fees.He had calculated he could live off the £9,000 he had access to after taking out a loan to cover his tuition fees.
A spokesman for St Hugh's College said: "The requirement that postgraduate students provide a financial guarantee in order to take up their course place at the University of Oxford is made clear to potential applicants."A spokesman for St Hugh's College said: "The requirement that postgraduate students provide a financial guarantee in order to take up their course place at the University of Oxford is made clear to potential applicants."
The university said a financial guarantee was required before postgraduate students began their studies to ensure their fees and living costs were covered throughout the course.The university said a financial guarantee was required before postgraduate students began their studies to ensure their fees and living costs were covered throughout the course.
The amount of £12,900 was calculated from an annual survey of college domestic bursars, who have expert knowledge of the local costs of core items such as accommodation, food, utility bills, books and socialising, the spokesman said.The amount of £12,900 was calculated from an annual survey of college domestic bursars, who have expert knowledge of the local costs of core items such as accommodation, food, utility bills, books and socialising, the spokesman said.
"We consider this preferable not only for the institution but for the welfare of the individual student, as it prevents dropouts and disruption part way through a course," he said."We consider this preferable not only for the institution but for the welfare of the individual student, as it prevents dropouts and disruption part way through a course," he said.
The judge is expected to rule on whether a full hearing should be held into the claims.The judge is expected to rule on whether a full hearing should be held into the claims.