The failure has left a group of students - who had been told they could study for a degree after completing a diploma course - high and dry.

The row over the mix-up at Moray College in Elgin, which forms part of the new University of the Highlands and Islands, has now been taken to the Scottish Parliament.

Seventeen art students were told they were studying towards a degree on a three-year course.

They believed they could complete a BA in Fine Arts under the auspices of the newly-established University of the Highlands and Islands.

After two years at Moray College they completed a diploma, only to be told the new varsity refused to "validate" the course because library and other facilities in Elgin were not up to standard.

Official complaint

A last-ditch approach by college officials to Robert Gordon's University, in Aberdeen, to give "quality assurance" backing to a Visual Arts degree has also failed.

Now the students say it is too late for them to apply for courses at other colleges or universities.

They have now been told that the Fine Arts degree is unlikely to go ahead until this time next year.

But if they resume their course after a year's absence, they will be subject to annual tuition fees of about �1,000.

They have made official complaints to the National Union of Students and Scottish Education Minister Henry McLeish.

Scottish National Party MSP for Moray, Margaret Ewing has tabled a written question to the Scottish Parliament about the "mix-up".

'Frustration and helplessness'

Mature student Helen Mackenzie, 41, from Forres, has been acting as a spokeswoman for the class.

"It would appear that Moray College, on more than one occasion, have been economical with the truth to us," she said.

"We were all given the impression that we could complete our degree in Elgin this year.

"We find the fact that we cannot to be highly insulting and it is difficult to convey the depth of our frustration, disappointment and helplessness."

Ms Mackenzie added that the students felt that completing a diploma, instead of a degree, was "waste of our time over the past two years".

A college spokesman admitted that the planned BA in Fine Arts had failed to get official approval.

Failed to win support

He said it was certified by Open University academics, under the auspices of the Highlands and Islands University Project, at its early stages.

But the course failed to win support to attain the "level three" standard, necessary for a Bachelor of Arts degree to be awarded.

"Because this status was not validated, students completing the Diploma in Fine Art at Moray College are not able to progress immediately to the degree year," the spokesman said.

"This is a major disappointment, both for the students and for the staff of the college."