Ex-registrar advises on moans

A FORMER university registrar has set up a consultancy to advise students on making complaints.

The gamekeeper-turned-poacher is Cliff Hancock, who was academic registrar at Bath College of Higher Education until the summer. From early next year he will be offering individual students and student unions advice on preparing a case against their universities.

He is endorsed by the National Union of Students, which will receive 10 per cent of his fees - a fixed rate of Pounds 60 an hour.

Using experience gained from seven years' acting for the other side he will tell students how to formulate an appeal and which points to emphasise. He will also be able to advise on when to drop an appeal that is unlikely to succeed.

"I try to view it as not only providing a service to students but also to institutions because they will receive an appeal that has already been sorted out before it comes to them," said Dr Hancock. "But I realise I probably won't be regarded too highly by some institutions."

As a supplementary service, he offers to represent students at meetings with university officials, but it will be an advice service principally offered by telephone, fax and email.

With the number of student complaints already escalating and expected to rise further after the introduction of fees, Dr Hancock believes he has spotted a gap in the market.