The University of Aberdeen has been accused of racial discrimination by a student.

The allegation claims that students are allocated marks based on the colour of their skin.

The student also alleged that some members of staff at the university pass racial remarks about Indians and that Indian students are given deliberate wrong advice to prevent them progressing academically.

The University confirmed they have received a complaint of racial discrimination and are investigating the accusation as a matter of course.

A spokesperson said: "The University of Aberdeen is committed to the equal treatment of all persons regardless of their race, origin or colour."

The claims were first made by the student in Indian newspaper the Bangalore Mirror.

The article, published on Thursday says medical student Marline John made the complaint to the Indian High Commissioner in London on August 4.

She is quoted as saying: “They (Indian students) are deliberately given the lowest marks in the class, depending on how the rest of the Caucasians and the programme supervisors’ favourite students in the class perform academically. If a Caucasian student does badly, he/she is given an Indian student’s marks.”

The article reports that Ms John’s complaint has been forwarded to the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh.

In her complaint, Marline says in advertising its courses in India, the university highlights that foreign students who complete a Post Graduate degree are eligible for a two-year ‘talent visa’ which can help foreign students stay on and work in the UK.

However, she alleges that once a student pays all the tuition fees, the university fails the student after the first year and subsequently awards a PG diploma, thereby making the student ineligible for the talent visa.