Classism Controversy: Edinburgh Tab’s Claims Spark Debate on University Exclusivity

Concerns have always existed amongst working class families, raising questions over if they would fit or how they would prepare their children to enter a bourgeois centred world. George Orwell once wrote “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,’’ suggesting that people have power over one another if they possess more. As we all progress in the world, we assume everything has become more inclusive and we are all welcomed, regardless of our differences. However, in recent weeks a story which emerged out of Scotland has displayed how this was not the case.

The Tab is a student run publication which operates within the UK and the USA across 80 different universities. Recently, one of their publications which runs in Edinburgh faced a scandal. A post captioned ‘’me enraging the 4 Scottish people that did go to Edinburgh uni,’’ has faced severe backlash, resulting in the Edinburgh Tab continuing to defend the post, completely disregarding how viewers perceived it as offensive. Additionally, they responded to a series of comments with disrespectful remarks. The Edinburgh Tab replied to a commenter, “as God intended’’ who stated there were no Scottish students in their videos. Thus far they are yet to issue an apology but have deleted the post resulting in temporarily privatising their social media.

As a consequence of this scandal, conversations around how universities fulfil a middle-class habitus have resurfaced. This has refuelled the North/South divide which continues to exist, even in 2024 and influences universities how to operate. This is the continued notion that the South is equipped with greater resources and in essence wealthier than cities located in the North. Furthermore, this has elicited a narrative amongst students whereby those from the South believe those hailing from the North deserves less respect. Many associate this to the idea of Classism and how universities still only appeal to the middle class, evident in Russell groups universities such as Edinburgh and Leeds, where middle class students are the largest class demographic.

Irrespective of the case in Edinburgh, class differences extend through how students of different ethnicities face Classism and micro-aggressions based on their identity. Assumptions are made on their lifestyles where they are asked questions, ridiculed or subjected to subtle, sly comments. Through research, I spoke to some students who gave me an insight into their personal experiences and thoughts.

When being asked about their transition from more diverse and working-class environments, one student stated the difficulty in transitioning to a university where people have, ‘’Grown up differently’’. Another student also expressed that there was major, ‘’Cultural differences’’. In some ways, differences can be beneficial but are universities welcoming towards the working class? Are students integrating or surrounding themselves with likeminded people?

In evaluating if we subconsciously acquaint ourselves with certain people or wonder if people’s ‘’status’’ impacts our opinion of them, it is important we address what we can do to tackle prejudice. When one of the students I interviewed was asked about their approach, they stated it was part of life rather than, ‘’Something to approach’’. They also stated a desire for people to understand that not everyone, ‘’Faces the same experiences’’. This was a valid sentiment and presented the idea that we should be considerate of other circumstances.

Words by Aliza-Kayan Ahmed

Cover Image Credit: NQ