A BOURNEMOUTH University professor has told why he quit after senior managers overruled his decision to fail some students.

Archaeology professor Paul Buckland, who has 25 years' teaching experience, decided that 13 second year students re-sitting exams in his Reconstruction of Environment and Economy course deserved to have failed.

A second marker ratified his decision.

However, the marks were later reviewed by senior managers and 10 of the students were told that they had passed.

Prof Buckland, who lives in Corfe Mullen, resigned in disgust, furious that he had not been consulted on the re-marking through the exam board.

He told colleagues in a resignation email: "I am not prepared to continue working in an institution where examination boards are merely a formality that can be overturned by a head of school without any consultation."

Prof Buckland, 60, believes that passing what he alleges are undeserving students discredits the work of others who have done the required work and reached the appropriate standard.

He said: "I feel let down because the university is supposed to maintain high academic standards. This was a personal attack on my integrity as an exam marker.

"I cannot continue to work in an institution like that."

Prof Buckland added: "This is not just in Bournemouth, it is a national problem. I know that other institutions are having similar issues but not as blatant as this case."

A spokesman for Bournemouth University said that a formal investigation looked into this case and that its recommendations are being put in place to ensure that all students have been assessed fairly.

He said: "The university is absolutely committed to achieving and maintaining high academic standards throughout the education process from entry requirements through to the standards set and monitored internally and externally for the award of our degrees.

"We remain confident that we are able to continue to provide the standard of education expected of us.

"In fact, we have achieved the highest possible outcome in relation to the quality of our provision from the most recent Quality Assurance Agency Audit."

Students on the archaeology course said they would be inconvenienced by Prof Buckland's departure but some have applauded his stand.

Kwanele Tuakli, 20, a first year archaeology student, said: "Obviously it is inconvenient to us students.

"But I have my principles, and I believe that he is also a man of principles and you have to respect that."

Edwin Pearson, 21, a first year in field archaeology, said: "He's probably marked it in an old-fashioned way and perhaps been a little strict."