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| Oxford University college faces financial discrimination claim | Oxford University college faces financial discrimination claim |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A court is to hear the case of a postgraduate student who says he was turned down by an Oxford University college on financial grounds. | A court is to hear the case of a postgraduate student who says he was turned down by an Oxford University college on financial grounds. |
| Damien Shannon claims St Hugh's College is discriminating against poorer students by asking them to prove they can cover "excessive" living costs. | Damien Shannon claims St Hugh's College is discriminating against poorer students by asking them to prove they can cover "excessive" living costs. |
| Mr Shannon, from Salford, says an offer of a place was withdrawn when he could not prove he had access to £12,900. | Mr Shannon, from Salford, says an offer of a place was withdrawn when he could not prove he had access to £12,900. |
| The case will be heard at Manchester County Court later. | The case will be heard at Manchester County Court later. |
| Mr Shannon, 26, said the sum required by the college was "not obtainable" for most people. | Mr Shannon, 26, said the sum required by the college was "not obtainable" for most people. |
| 'Prevents disruption' | 'Prevents disruption' |
| He said he took out a loan to cover his tuition fees, but could not prove he had access to a further £12,900 to cover his living costs. | |
| Mr Shannon claims his place on the year-long economic and social history course was withdrawn due to the "arbitrary figure" the college had set. | Mr Shannon claims his place on the year-long economic and social history course was withdrawn due to the "arbitrary figure" the college had set. |
| 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". |
| A university spokesman said a financial guarantee was required before postgraduate students begin their studies to ensure their fees and living costs are covered throughout the course. | A university spokesman said a financial guarantee was required before postgraduate students begin their studies to ensure their fees and living costs are covered throughout the course. |
| "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. |