England: Graduate sues university over ‘Mickey Mouse’ business degree

Pok Wong, 29, is suing Anglia Ruskin University for more than £60,000, claiming the institution made fraudulent claims about a “quality education and prospect of employment after graduation”, she told The Sunday Telegraph.

Ms Wong has lodged papers with Central London County Court, claiming breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation, including amongst her complaints students being told to “self-study” and a tardy lecturer.

Her degree “does not play a role to help secure a rewarding job with prospects”, she claimed and said the prospectus promised students would be “well equipped” for business roles following two years of “high quality teaching”.

“The prospectus convinced me that the university is really impressive,” she said.

“But, as soon as I started in 2011, I realised there were failings. Although I graduated with a first class degree in 2013, it is a Mickey Mouse degree.

“I hope that bringing this case will set a precedent so that students can get value for money, and if they don’t they get compensated. Anglia Ruskin talked a good talk but then they didn’t deliver.”

A spokesperson for Anglia Ruskin University told The Independent: “We are well aware of the claims made by this former student and we are robustly defending the current litigation.

“Despite being awarded a First Class degree she attempted to disrupt her own graduation ceremony in 2013 as part of her dispute with the university, an action which would have damaged the experience for many other graduating students. The student was asked to leave the stage and sat in a room adjacent to it. She was free to leave at any time and got up and left, of her own accord, once the ceremony was over.

“Her complaints have been through the full Office of the Independent Adjudicator process. She then made a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office which was rejected after a thorough investigation. Subsequently she has launched legal action against us and has been required to pay our costs at an earlier hearing.

“As this case is before the court we will not be saying anything further at this stage.”