Every Oxford student may don a skirt

Oxford University has rewritten the rules governing its strict academic dress code, following concerns that the authorities were being unfair to transgender students.

Under the new regulations, students sitting exams or attending formal occasions will no longer have to wear ceremonial clothing that is specific to their gender.

Men will be able to wear skirts and stockings and women will have the option of wearing suits and bow ties.

The new rules, which will come into force next week, are the result of a motion put forward the university’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer society (LGBTQ Soc) to the student union.

Jess Pumphrey, LGBTQ Soc’s executive officer, said in an interview in the Oxford Student newspaper: “In future there will be no need for transgender students to cross-dress to avoid being confronted by invigilators or disciplined during their exam.”