It Was An Experience Not Worth Repeating (University of Wolverhampton in general)

Member Name: The Skipper

Product:	University of Wolverhampton in general
Date:	26/02/06 (751 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very few really, but easy to get into, perhaps far too easy

Disadvantages: Failure of the uni to fulfil its student contract, poor response to justified criticism

I attended Year 2000 commencement law course as a (very) mature undergraduate. Started off bad and just got worse. Straight 'A's student first semester, became a student rep, took some criticisms of the course in confidence to the Associate Dean (now the Dean) and found my criticisms published to staff. Suddenly became a very average student with borderline marks.

Left after I was threatened with disciplinary action over my complaints. Eventually I sued for misrpresentation and breach of contract. Court case was settled out of court in July 2002 amid huge media publicity. Uni paid £30,000 of my claim for £48,000.

Started again at one of top ten law schools in the country. Again, was a top student (top 10 percent of marks). Had not a single complaint there. First class experience. The Uni?: University of Bristol. Go there - if you can get in. Fantastic experience.

Then found I was being accused of fraud by government agencies who had approached Wolves Uni and been told, amongst other things, that I am a "sociopath" and "mentally ill". Started a second action against Wolves Uni in the High Court. Wolves hired 5 solicitors/paralegals and a top barrister to get my case struck out before trial. They succeeded, but not before they had spent another £140,000 of taxpayers money in paying for their lawyers.

So, they paid me £30,000 plus paid £40,000 to their lawyers in the first action and forked out another £140,000 in the second. Grand total: £210,000. They could have settled with me without spending a penny in the early stages. In the High Court case I asked for an apology, retraction, and UP TO £10,000 but even this generous offer was refused. Makes one think, doesn't it?

To be fair, some of the staff at Wolves' law school were superb lecturers and fine people. But a handful were not (didn't turn up to lectures, favoured some students by giving detailed coaching on how to approach module assessments, etcetera). I understand that, as a result to some extent of my court action, things have now improved considerably. They needed to, of course.

I would certainly not recommend Wolverhampton University to anyone and my former student colleagues from there tell me that holding even a first in law from Wolves does NOT necessarily even get one an initial interview for work in the legal profession.

If you want to learn more about my experiences, take a look at my new website at: http://www.educationissues.net If you would like to comment, why not join me on my free bulletin board at: http://www.education-issues.org

I intend to place a link on my sites to this fantastic website, which I did not know about until today.

Great site, guys. Proud to participate. Thank you.

The Skipper

Summary: Not a good learning experience