University of Hull's new marking criteria is being labelled as ridiculous.

The English university has instructed its lecturers to overlook spelling, punctuation and grammar errors,  so it doesn't appear elitist.

They say they wish to decolonise their curriculum and believe not insisting on good written English in all circumstances will help achieve this.

Universities New Zealand chief executive Chris Whelan told Mike Hosking he's astonished.

“These are students who will be looking for jobs and if employers think they can't write or spell, they won't want them.”

Lecturers have been instructed to overlook spelling, punctuation and grammar errors so that it doesn't appear elitist.

Whelan says students need to be able to express themselves clearly and if employers expect you to write,  then you need to write well.

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