South Bank to appeal against sex bias ruling

Andy Masheter, director for corporate affairs at South Bank University, said the university will "vociferously" appeal against last week's High Court ruling that a student has the right to sue university authorities under the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act.

Mr Justice Munby ruled that Valerie Coggeran, who wishes to qualify as a radiographer, was unlawfully barred from completing her degree course owing to a pregnancy-related illness.

The university argues that, if allowed to stand, the judgment has implications that "would be unworkable in universities and colleges".

The National Union of Students said that the judgment underscores the need for an ombudsman for higher education.