St Andrews University students report classism — The Guardian

Students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland say there have been instances of classism on campus, which they believe have intensified as the number of wealthy international students, particularly from the United States, has grown. The discussion gained momentum after a post by former student Sophie Rose Jenkins, who said she would not return to the university this academic year because of the classism she experienced, The Guardian reports.

Jenkins, who studied comparative literature and classical studies, wrote on LinkedIn that students from working-class families feel shamed because of their background and home circumstances. According to her, access to higher education does not mean equal opportunities to obtain a degree without obstacles.

Differences in students' incomes

The number of places for students from Scotland, who study tuition-free, is limited by the country's government; they make up about 30% of the university's student body. Maintenance loans and scholarships cover basic expenses, but students from less affluent families, according to the publication, often have less disposable money than their peers.

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Americans account for around one-fifth of undergraduate students at St Andrews, the highest share in the United Kingdom. This academic year, tuition fees for them amount to £33,250, more than three times the fee for British students.

University response

One Scottish first-year student on a scholarship said his parents feared he would feel excluded from social life. Other students described the campus as divided into separate circles of English, American and other international students. Some link the problem not only to the growing number of Americans but also to the general attitude toward people from working-class families.

The university said it had contacted Jenkins to better understand her experience, but she has so far decided not to take part in a conversation. The institution also said it has a complaints system and noted that it has received only a few reports over the past five years. Vice-Principal Niall Scott said some students may arrive with immature, offensive and classist views, but universities should help overcome such attitudes.