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Many school-leavers attaining the necessary A levels to attend such august institutions as Pembroke College, Oxford, have probably had amounts not dissimilar to ?300k invested in their education. By trying to buy a place for the same amount, the hypothetical parent in question would simply be topping up his or her investment in their offspring.

The notion that all the other applicants are horny-handed sons of soil-toilers who struggled to attain their "individual excellence" on a level playing field does not hold water.

Many students at the more prestigious universities have already had their way paved by parental investment. The method may not be as "in your face" as a straight cash offer, but is it any more egalitarian?

Tom McAra
Head of purchasing
University of Glasgow