William returns to student life at Cambridge University

Prince William should not be discriminated against because of the circumstances of his birth, a Cambridge University professor has said.

The university has been accused of giving special treatment to the Duke of Cambridge, who got ABC at A-level, but is to start an agricultural course there shortly.

Speaking to the Cambridge News, Prof Ross Anderson, of Cambridge University’s Computer Laboratory, defended the rights of his colleagues to produce specialist courses “for people who are prepared to pay for it”.

He added that they should “not be discriminated against on account of the circumstances of their birth”.

• Read: William returns to student life at Cambridge University

Prince William has met with PhD students whom he will be sharing group seminars with on a bespoke course at St John's College, Cambridge University.

The course is part of the executive education programme at the university, and will prepare him for his inheritance of the Duchy of Cornwall estate.

According to a report in the Cambridge News, the modules he is expected to study include farming and supply chains, rural and planning policy, site management, agricultural policy and conservation governance. He will also go on a number of field trips.

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A student newspaper that objected to Prince William's enrolment on a Cambridge University course has withdrawn its criticism.

The Duke of Cambridge is about to start the ten week Agricultural Management course at the School of Technology, to help him prepare for running the Duchy of Cornwall when Prince Charles becomes King.

But student newspaper 'The Tab' questioned whether he had high enough grades to make it onto the course.

Speaking on ITV's Daybreak, the paper's editor Will Heilpern now accepts his enrolment is fair.

"It seemed really unfair that Prince William was coming in to do a degree," he said.

"However, when you actually looks at what he's doing, he's doing a course which is aimed at Boards of Directors and Business Executives so it's not really relevant to compare the grades.

"I was more doing that in a tongue in cheek, jokey manner."

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The Duke of Cambridge has arrived at St John's College, Cambridge, where he is set to begin a course in agricultural management.

The Duke of Cambridge will return to life as a student today by beginning a course in agricultural management at Cambridge University.

Prince William begins a 10-week course about issues facing the UK's rural communities and the farming industry - preparation for when he inherits the Duchy of Cornwall from his father.

The Duke will have 18 to 20 hours of lectures, seminars and meetings a week and is likely to have essays to complete and to make field trips.

He is expected to live in Cambridge part of the time as he will have accommodation within the city, but will still carry out a number of royal engagements over the coming months.

Read more: Prince William to become full-time student