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​Graduate Has Spent Thousands Trying To Sue Uni For Giving Him A Bad Grade

​Graduate Has Spent Thousands Trying To Sue Uni For Giving Him A Bad Grade

He tried to claim £200,000 damages

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

A student who has spent 'thousands' trying to sue his uni over the grade he got has said he'll take the legal battle to the UN if he has to.

Umer Riaz, 33, tried to claim £200,000 in damages from the University of South Wales after he got a pass grade for his degree in 2016.

Mr Riaz, who came to Cardiff to study from Islamabad, Pakistan, says he wasn't given the chance to continue his studies to complete an honours degree instead of a pass grade.

But his claim was struck out of county court in Cardiff on Thursday after being described by the university as having 'no prospect of success'.

Media Wales

Mr Riaz, who got the equivalent of a third class degree, said: "I'm going to fight this even if I have to take it higher, even to the UN.

"I'm very, very keen that I take it as high as I can."

A spokeswoman for the University of South Wales said all processes were followed 'fairly and accurately'.

Mr Riaz started his BSc hons chemistry degree in 2011 but re-sat his first year after failing to get the credits needed.

In 2014, after suffering from poor health, the student said he 'suffered a fall' on site, meaning his second year modules were deferred until the following year.

Because of this, Mr Riaz didn't cover enough credits for an honours degree, and reached the maximum registration period for his course.

In a claim brought against the university, the international student described its decision not to take allow him to take outstanding modules as 'unreasonable'.

But officials from the uni claimed his claim didn't specify 'any cause of action' and that arguments of 'unreasonableness' didn't fall under the court's jurisdiction.

Media Wales

Mr Riaz, who represented himself, said: "I was quite good at my studies and I passed my English courses back home.

"I was the youngest and my family wanted to give me the opportunity for higher study. My parents are illiterate, they didn't go to school."

He added: "A pass doesn't mean anything to me. Having a pass degree is not going to help me to get anything.

"I wanted to do a PhD in organic chemistry. I was in my final year starting to apply for jobs in Europe, in the Middle East and do further studies.

"I had a couple of emails from Italy and Germany. They said were were impressed by my approach but unfortunately I do not have enough credits.

"If I had an honours degree I would have been smashing it. I would have been working in decent places like my other colleagues."

After a series of appeals, he said: "I have wasted 10 months to get to this stage. Everyone knew what I was claiming. They should have said in the first place [there was no jurisdiction]."

"I'm going to take it to the High Court now."

As an international student, Mr Riaz said each year of university cost him about £10,000. But he said his grade has also stopped him from getting a job in his chosen field since his graduation. He must now pay thousands in legal fees after his court claim failed.

A spokeswoman for the University of South Wales said: "We take all complaints seriously and are keen to uphold our rigorous standards. All of our processes have been followed fairly and accurately, and this has been reflected by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. As there may be further legal action, it is not possible to comment further."

Featured Image Credit: Media Wales

Topics: UK News, News, University