54 of 60 students are heading for a re-sit

The course at the University of Central England, Birmingham, has been suspended while the investigation takes place.

Thirty students due to start in September will now have to find places at another university.

The university's authorities have chosen an independent adviser to examine the high failure rate, with 54 out of 60 undergraduates failing.

Those who failed are being offered support as they face the prospect of autumn re-sits.

Pro-vice chancellor Professor Phil Walkling said students obliged to work full-time at the same time as studying as well as unfinished coursework contributed to the appalling pass rate.

He was quoted by the Birmingham Post as saying: "I have never come across a situation where so many students failed before. It's unheard of.

"There is no one reason why so many students failed. It is a whole spectrum of things.

"Some have completed their final coursework and others have been working almost full time due to financial pressures."

A university spokeswoman added: "In response to this exceptional circumstance, the decision has been made to not recruit to either the full or part time course in BA Architecture in September 2004.