Brown has said Spence was the victim of "an interview system that is more reminiscent of the old boy network and the old school tie than genuine justice in our society."

"It is about time for an end to that old Britain where what matters more are the privileges you are born with rather than the potential you actually have," Brown said.

Brown has also warned that top English schools could lose out on academic stars if they reject them because of social reasons.

Yet, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported this week that Spence was ranked 11 out of 23 candidates applying to study medicine at Oxford's Magdalen College, and only five positions were available.

Oxford has responded to the controversy by releasing statistics showing that middle-class students are proportionally represented at the school.

Various student groups and publications on Oxford's campus have also voiced their opposition to the accusations of elitism.

"Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) condemns the cynically minded attempt by Gordon Brown and the Government to jump on a populist bandwagon and level claims of elitism at Oxford University," according to a recent press release.