29 SEPTEMBER 1961, Page 16

SIR,-1 wholeheartedly endorse the sentiment ex- pressed by Benjamin Speal

in 'Scientists for Export' last week when he stated : The case for university reform is overwhelming.'

I recently had occasion to inquire of four different universities—one outside the United Kingdom— whether they would be prepared to award a PhD degree for research in Celtic studies without the graduate being in residence. Their rules and regula- tions forbid each of them to do so—though one of them will grant an external MA.

Why this unreasonable insistence on 'residence'? Surely the sole criterion should be the quality of the work submitted? Could not this state of affairs be called a hangover from the past when the idea of the university was very different from today?