Oxford University has played down fears that graduates may soon lose their traditional right to receive a higher degree without completing any further studies.

The move follows a newspaper report stating that the ancient system, whereby Oxbridge Bachelor of Arts students receive an automatic MA a number of years after graduating, was in danger.

At Oxford University students are currently entitled to a higher MA qualification 21 terms after joining the university and on payment of £10, without completing any extra work.

But the Times Higher Educational Supplement this week reported that the system was under scrutiny by a qualifications framework development group set up by the Quality Assurance Agency.

It's chairman Ivor Crewe, vice-chancellor of the University of Essex, claimed the automatic entitlement to an MA needed to be reassessed. He said: "The Oxbridge MA is something we're considering."

But Oxford University was not aware that discussions were taking place specifically about the Oxbridge MA.

A University spokesman said: "As far as the University is concerned we're not aware of any review in the status of our MAs.

"The Oxbridge MA dates back to the very origins of the University in the Middle Ages when student scholars studied seven years for degrees. BAs are three or four years but the Oxbridge MA reflects the origins of longer periods of study.

"It's widely known that the Oxbridge MA is different from the usual MA and that it is very clearly part of the special heritage of Oxford and Cambridge."

She added that there was no internal review of the system going on.

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