Richard South, a student at Edinburgh University, presented an English literature essay which was based on fictitious experts and sources and which parodied the language of literary criticism.

In response he received a mark equivalent to an upper second class degree, with commendations from the marker.

But the university asserts that its English department has not been fooled by the hoaxer, claiming that the high marks were an acknowledgement of the "orginality" of the approach.

The undergraduate invented academic sources for his essay, including the imaginary Parker J Sprague

"It is perfectly appropriate for markers to credit a student with originality. It would be inconceivable that specialists wouldn't know that it was a hoax," said a university spokesperson.

The essay, which was not externally marked and will not contribute to the student's degree grade, was in response to the question "Is it valid to read literature historically?"

The student's essay is reported to have included references to two entirely invented academic sources, Parker J Sprague and Professor Levi Erskine-Bloom, Emeritus Dean of Scatology at Trinity College Cambridge.