Is Prince William too thick to deserve a place at Cambridge University?
That is certainly the implication in the online Cambridge student newspaper The Tab, which writes, “Normally students need A*AA at A-level to gain entry to Cambridge University, whilst the Prince only achieved a mediocre ABC. Conveniently though for Will, he is the registered benefactor of the department he will be studying at.”
Meanwhile a Cambridge graduate, Melissa Berrill, has written a rabble-rousing think piece for The Guardian under the headline “William’s on his way—and Cambridge should be ashamed.” Berrill writes: “Prince William is soon to be admitted as a student at Cambridge on a course tailor-made for him—though his A, B and C results at A-level and 2.1 undergraduate degree are far below the standard required for the ordinary student.”
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She adds: “Admitting Prince William is an insult to every student, whatever their background, who got into Cambridge by getting the required A-level or degree results. It’s an insult to every student whose A-levels and degree are the same or better than his, and who didn’t get a free pass to Cambridge in spite of them. And it’s an insult to everyone in the country who needs skills or training, and hasn’t had a university course personally designed for them. I’m unsurprised at Prince William’s part in this. Much as William and Kate are heralded as “modern” royals, a bit of media-savvy and pretty hair can’t cover up the fundamental unfairness and anachronism of their position. But I am surprised, and ashamed, that my old university is still colluding in it as much as it ever did.”
A bit harsh, we feel, as the boy’s only trying to get a bit of extra education.
The Tab points out that Prince William is ineligible for a student loan, as he has already completed a degree at St Andrews.
The course, which will cost more than £10,000, will be funded privately.
