Oxford graduate sues university for £1m over failure to secure a first

Whilst admitting it had “difficulties” running the module, Oxford University argues the claim is baseless

Oxford graduate Faiz Siddiqui is suing the university for £1m claiming that owing to “appallingly bad” and “boring” teaching he couldn't get a a first-class degree and have a successful career.

Siddiqui, 38, who studied modern history at Brasenose College, believes he would have had a career as an international commercial lawyer if he had been awarded a first class degree 16 years ago. He told the high court that because of 'negligent teaching he underperformed in a course on Indian imperial history during his degree which affected his overall grade.



He has a filed a loss of earnings claim of at least £1m against the chancellor, masters and scholars of Oxford University. The university is seeking to have the claim dismissed.

Siddiqui’s barrister Roger Mallalieu told the high court that his client’s lesser grade had “denied him the chance of becoming a high-flying commercial barrister”.

Whilst admitting it had “difficulties” running the module in the year Siddiqui graduated, Oxford University argues that the claim is baseless and should be struck out because of the amount of time that has have passed since Siddiqui graduated.

According to Siddiqui, four of the seven faculty staff were on sabbaticals in the academic year 1999-2000, and the university knew of the situation.



Siddiqui told the judge that majority out of the 15 students who received the same teaching and sat the same exam as Siddiqui received their “lowest or joint lowest mark” in the subject.

Elaborating on the subject Siddiqui's barrister told the court: “This is a large percentage who got their lowest mark in the specialist subject papers. There is a statistical anomaly that matches our case that there was a specific problem with the teaching in this year having a knock-on effect on the performance of students.”

“The standard of teaching was objectively unacceptable,” he added.

Further, Siddiqui’s legal team claimed he was “only one of a number of students who no doubt have proper cause for complaint against the university in relation to this matter”. A judgment on the case is expected later this month.

This article originally appeared on The Guardian.