Did student invent 7 A-levels to get into Oxford?

By Lucy Ballinger and Camilla Turner

Dreaming spires of Oxford: Student Parmbir Gill allegedly claimed to have 10 A's at A Level when he actually had just three


An Oxford University student has been suspended over allegations he claimed to have achieved ten As at Alevel - when he actually had just three.

Parmbir Gill's audacious boasts are said to have won him a place at Lady Margaret Hall, a college with alumni including Nigella Lawson, Ann Widdecombe and former MI5 director general Eliza Manningham-Buller.

The 21-year-old began studying economics and management there in September, but just before Christmas the college was alerted his CV may be too good to be true.

Over the course of the first term, officials are said to have become concerned about apparent discrepancies in his application.

They phoned Langley Grammar School in Slough, Berkshire, and were told he had achieved three Bs in economics, maths and religious studies A-levels, at a first sitting.

He then took two gap years to try to boost his grades, and ended up with three As.

But when he finally applied to Oxford as an independent candidate, meaning he uploaded his application to UCAS without his school's knowledge, it is understood he added another seven As.

Deputy head teacher Janet Jamieson said: 'There was no evidence of malpractice on his part while he was here, and he got a place at the school on the strength of real GCSE grades, which were A*s, As and Bs.

'The university asked if he did attain these grades at school, and the answer was no, he didn't.

'In fact he left here with good, but not outstanding grades. I would have checked that amount of A levels, if it were me.'

Mr Gill, who is being investigated by the college, has posted a CV on the internet claiming ten As at A-level while attending Langley Grammar. He also boasted of achieving 14 A* GCSEs at secondary school.

A string of other achievements including awards and bursaries also feature.

An Oxford University spokesman admitted it is impossible to eliminate fraud.

But the selection system - including interviews and aptitude tests - 'minimises the risks of fraudulent behaviour going undetected'.

Last night Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, said it was vital students were 'truthful' when applying for universities so that they can be judged fairly.

Gill was unavailable for comment.


source: dailymail