I read with interest your article "Academe's UK stars of future shun Cambridge" ( THES , August 16). I applied as a research student to Cambridge's maths faculty as an external graduate only to be denied funding after securing a place. Where did the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council's annual grant go? To Cambridge graduates.
Not only does this exhibit a pompous disregard for EPSRC policy promoting the flow of students between institutions, it demonstrates a shocking lack of self-awareness. How dare Cambridge lament graduate students' choice "not to exercise their academic options" when it provides no option other than to apply elsewhere.
Tim O'Leary
Warwick University