A professor has claimed parents can still buy places for their children at Oxford University by donating cash to colleges.
Prof Valentine Cunningham, an English Fellow at Corpus Christi College, says the practice remains firmly in place at the university.
An 'old boys' network' helped secure the academic futures of children of previous Oxford scholars and wealthy families, according to the professor.
He said: "Places are being bought, there is no doubt about that.
"Colleges are in a fix because they need the money."
Mr Cunningham's comments follow the resignation of university fundraiser Philip Keevil after his son was turned down by Trinity College.
Mr Keevil has since withdrawn a £100,000 donation previously promised to the college.
Mr Keevil has defended his belief that there should be a "slight bias" towards the children of donors.
The university has denied the allegations that places could be bought, saying that consideration was only given to candidates with the best potential.
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