A University of Bristol student has been told that she must defer her graduation ceremony because she is unable to afford the cost of a gown. Daniela Sanchez Ríos was due to graduate this summer, but the university will not allow her to attend the event on July 19 unless she hires a gown for up to £58 - even though she does not have the money to pay.
A spokesperson for the university said that it offers bursaries to students who can't afford the cost. However, Daniela says that she was unaware of this until after the deadline to apply had already closed on June 14.
She has now been told that she can defer her graduation until February 2023 and apply for the bursary before then, but she says this has left her "shocked and upset". She told Bristol Live: "I don't think it should be a rule for a university to discriminate against people in terms of how much money you have. I don't think it should be allowed - I don't think it should even be legal."
