In a “Note on the Origin and History of the University of London” (University Calendar), we find this record—
“The experiment of offering encouragement for women to pursue a course of academic education, was at first tried under limitations which somewhat impeded its success. Under the powers given in the Charter of 1867, women were not rendered admissible to the ordinary examinations, but two forms of certificate were offered to female students—the one general, and the other of higher proficiency. In the scheme for both examinations, prominence was given to those subjects which it was presumed that women and their teachers would prefer. But the number availing themselves of this privilege was small, and the privilege itself was not highly valued. Moreover, it was found that the chief distinctions attained by women in these examinations were not gained in the special subjects, but in the classical languages and in science. It was urged by the teachers that women did not desire a scheme of instruction exclusively devised for their use, but would prefer to have access to the ordinary degrees and honours, and to be subject to the same tests of qualification which were imposed on other students.
“After much discussion, the Senate and Convocation agreed to accept from the Crown, in 1878, a Supplemental Charter, making every degree, honour, and prize awarded by the University accessible to students of both sexes on perfectly equal terms. The University of London was thus the first academical body in the United Kingdom to admit women as candidates for degrees. The record of the results which have followed this measure will be found in the statistical tables and in the honours and distinctions which have since been won by female candidates.”
On the point of granting degrees, on the same terms for women as for men, Miss Buss was always most decided. She endeavoured to carry the Head-mistresses’ Association with her in presenting a memorial to the University authorities, but in this she failed, as is shown in the following letter to Miss Davies—
“Myra Lodge, July 24, 1877.
“My dear Miss Davies,
“It was so impossible to agree at our committee yesterday that we gave up the idea of sending a memorial from the Head-mistresses’ Association.
“At the committee, only five would vote for the degree on absolutely equal terms, and eight were against it. Of the absent members five wrote against it, so there would have been a large majority against.
“Each mistress can sign the memorial she prefers. So, I suppose, ‘we,’ that is, my colleagues and I, had better sign your memorial.
“I heard, for the first time, that men from the affiliated colleges—Nottingham, for example—could get a degree without the Little-Go, and with only two years’ residence. This, if correct, does modify things a little. I heard, also, that Dr. Sidgwick would vote for the degree being given on the same terms as now, i.e. I suppose, on Girton and Newnham lines.