Nearly 50 Cambridge University applicants who failed to meet "minimum entry requirements" were admitted to postgraduate courses last academic year. The waivers were revealed as the university this week confirmed a dramatic slump in UK applications.
According to the annual report of the board of graduate studies, total applications for admission in 1997-98 rose for the first time since 1994-95, bolstered by overseas and European applications.
But the report said: "The board is concerned at the continuing erosion of apparent demand from UK students for research places."
Applications for research courses fell by 1 per cent overall, but this concealed a slump of almost 9 per cent among UK graduates. This was compensated for by a 12.5 per cent increase in applications from EU graduates.
Demand in the UK for general taught postgraduate courses, including certain diplomas, fell by per cent. But interest from overseas students rose by 9 per cent and demand from EU students was up by 10 per cent.
Students who had not met usual entry requirements had been admitted but are being carefully monitored. Some 14 were "non-native" English-language speakers from overseas.