A NIGERIAN PhD student has been awarded £5,000 in compensation after Newcastle University in the UK admitted mishandling parts of her complaint, which stemmed from illness and supervisor issues that disrupted her doctoral studies.
Sue Agazie, who enrolled in a marketing PhD programme at the Russell Group university, will also receive a £13,286 refund for tuition fees and have £5,521 in rent arrears waived. These concessions were part of a resolution after Agazie launched a formal complaint against the university in February.
Agazie, who relocated with her family to the UK in January 2023, had enrolled at the university with the expectation of receiving a full scholarship or sufficient part-time academic work to support her living costs. Unfortunately, neither materialised, leading to mounting debts. Matters worsened when, amid a breakdown in her relationship with her primary supervisor, Agazie was diagnosed with kidney failure in September 2023 and required urgent medical care.
The university’s decision to contact the Home Office over her immigration status added further distress, despite the institution stating it was legally obligated to do so. The student’s support group, Unis Resist Border Controls (URBC), described the university’s handling of the situation as a ‘landmark admission of responsibility’ for failing to meet its duty of care.
Newcastle University acknowledged significant shortcomings in Agazie’s PhD supervision, noting that the absence of a second supervisor contributed to the breakdown in their relationship. The university also admitted that the financial communications Agazie received were poorly timed, adding to her anxiety.
Despite these admissions, the university maintained that the overall PhD offer was handled correctly, noting that no scholarship was part of the offer, and procedural irregularities were not found. However, the university conceded that the delay in appointing a second supervisor was a clear failing.
Agazie welcomed the university’s apology but emphasised the importance of this case for other international students. ‘I hope my experience will encourage others to stand up against unfair treatment and the weaponisation of their student visas,’ she told The Times Higher Education magazine.
The case also highlights the precarious situation faced by many international students, particularly those who are minoritised or disabled. Sanaz Raji, founder of URBC, commented that the UK’s hostile environment policy often discourages migrant students from lodging complaints due to the fear of deportation. Raji stressed that this creates significant barriers for students to seek justice.
Agazie has since left the university and is now applying to remain in the UK on compassionate medical grounds, with her family in tow.
Newcastle University declined to comment further on the case but reiterated that all student complaints are thoroughly investigated in accordance with their procedures.
