Waterford Institute of Technology students have been protesting today over a rise in grade average required to enter degree courses in the institute.
Until recently, students of languages and marketing who got a grade of 55 per cent in their diploma were entitled to enter the Bachelor of Business Studies degree.
But entry requirements have been changed and students now need over 62 per cent to make the grade
According to the WIT students' union, many students were unaware that exam regulations had been altered and now risked falling short of the necessary marks.
In a statement the union said: "The entire academic future of the students wishing to proceed onto the degree is being called into question by an institute of technology that has enormous potential to be upgraded to university status.
"One must ask the question is this how an institute of technology with aspirations to become a university treats its students?"