The University of Edinburgh has warned students from privileged backgrounds not to act “snobbish” towards their Scottish and working-class peers.

The institution has acknowledged that class-related bias is a problem on campus.

He said individuals from less affluent backgrounds were “unintentionally or deliberately embarrassed by more privileged students”.

The guide has been published It comes after the newly formed Scottish Social Mobility Association complained that lecturers and students regularly mocked and imitated individuals north of the border.

“Students from middle and lower socioeconomic backgrounds are a minority at the University of Edinburgh,” he said. “However, they are in the majority in wider UK society.”

Examples of shaming included comments about “clothing, lack of knowledge, or regional accent.”

More than 70% of university students come from England, the rest of the UK or abroad.

The rate of those attending private schools is 40 percent.

One student mentioned in the guide said his peers told him, “You can’t be working class just because you’re at university.”

“We were discussing inheritance tax in class and people openly said they had more money because they ‘just worked harder,’” the student said.

Olivia Gallosi, from Inverness, is a third-year student at the University of Edinburgh.

He told BBC Scotland News he faced discrimination.

“If you didn’t go to a private school, a lot of people turn their noses up at you,” he said.

“I have a slight British accent because I was born there, so people mean well and then they realize I’m actually Scottish and their minds change.

“I have friends who refused to come to Edinburgh because they didn’t want to put up with the way Scottish students were treated, and they went to surrounding universities because it was so much worse than anywhere else.”

Ronni Sharp said she became aware of the problem “immediately” as soon as she moved into the dorms.

“I had a job when I was a freshman and people were very prejudiced about it.

“They said, ‘Why are you working, you’re supposed to be having fun,’ and I said, ‘I have rent to pay.’

“Scottish students find that a lot here at the University of Edinburgh.

“There is a need for greater awareness of embracing everyone’s background and culture.”

Law student Shanley Breese, who founded the Scottish Social Mobility Community, said she had never heard of private schools when she came to university.

He founded the group to be a place where his Scottish peers could feel like they fit in.

He said it started during freshmen week when he was constantly asked what school he attended.

“And I would say you wouldn’t know the school, it’s in Dumfries and what they really meant was which private school you went to,” he said.

As a result, he said, it’s really hard to make friends and understand the culture.

“It was a really isolating experience and there was no community to turn to,” he said.

Shanley said it was difficult to meet other Scottish students because most were commuting because they were priced out of town.

He said creating the society created a space for Scottish students to share their experiences.

“I felt very stupid and out of place because I didn’t know about the existence of private schools, and this affected my academic ability,” she said.

“There is an elitist atmosphere at the university,” Shanley added.

He said he was made fun of.

“My accent has changed a lot since I started college because I would get comments when I said a word like ‘enigmatic.’ They liked to point that out.”

He also said teachers would ask Scottish students to repeat what they said or speak more clearly.

“Accent bias is one of the biggest problems. And they made assumptions from our accents about our intelligence level and whether we would be friends,” he said.

A University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of our diverse community and work hard to create an environment that eliminates discrimination and allows all our students to have the best possible experience during their studies.

“Our Dignity and Respect policy sets out clear expectations for behaviour, including recognizing when comments or behavior may be harmful or upsetting to others and acting accordingly.

“We have a well-established equality, diversity and inclusion committee, which brings together staff and student representatives from across the university to oversee our progress on EDI activities.

“After listening to students, we have introduced and continue to develop a new support model that provides more tailored pastoral and academic guidance throughout their studies.”