University of Newcastle students secure $7.55m settlement over unaccredited degree
The University of Newcastle has agreed to a $7.55 million settlement with 163 students who took the institution to court over an unaccredited engineering degree. The students, who undertook a Bachelor of Medical Engineering (honors) in 2018 and 2019, claimed the university had misled them by suggesting the course was accredited.
Students from the University of Newcastle have claimed victory in a class action lawsuit against the university, which will see 163 students receive a share of the $7.55 million settlement.
Students who undertook a Bachelor of Medical Engineering (honors) in 2018 and 2019 took the university to New South Wales Supreme Court claiming they had engaged in misleading conduct by suggesting the course was accredited.
Lead plaintiff Andreas Sklavos, who launched the class action in February last year, said he was relieved the university had settled during mediation after "years of disappointment and stress".
The 28-year-old undertook an extra year of study to become accredited with Engineering Australia and was left with a $55,000 HECS debt.
Outside court, Mr Sklavos spoke about the impact the lack of accreditation had on students' lives.
"[It] feels very good. I'm glad that they recognised everything and that they were apologising for what has happened and putting their best foot forward moving forward."
The University of Newcastle has since achieved full accreditation for the course, with accreditation retrospectively applied to students who commenced the program from 2020.
In court the university acknowledged that accreditation for the course was not a prerequisite but may be important for some students.
In a statement, the university said they were "offering support and assistance to students who commenced the program prior to 2020 to pursue professional accreditation".
The class action involved students from 2018 and 2019 who believed the degree was accredited by the professional body and they would be able to work abroad.
However, an email in 2020 from the University of Newcastle revealed that wasn't the case.
"An error was made in the information posted on the website about professional recognition," it said.
The University of Newcastle originally denied negligence and defended running unaccredited degrees claiming the website spelled out the university was "seeking" accreditation from Engineering Australia.
Duke Myrteza from Australian Law Partners represented the students and said the result was a great outcome.
"[This] is a great outcome for the students of the university."
He said he was "very happy for the students now the matter has been resolved".
"There are a number of standards that universities must uphold in terms of what online material they promote degrees or other courses by and certainly the recent litigation underlines the importance that universities comply with those standards so students aren't misled."
Mr Sklavos said he is now ready to step forward in his career after feeling like he was falling behind his peers but warned students to be vigilant when choosing a degree.
Mr Sklavos said: "My warning to anyone looking at undertaking higher education would be to check that the courses they're choosing are accredited by a recognised body."