Student told: 'No sex on course'

A student at the Utrecht School of Journalism has been reprimanded for writing a monthly column for Playboy magazine as part of her coursework.

Marije Sietsma has been told that her monthly columns about her sexual experiences are not an acceptable way to gain study points.

A teacher initially approved a proposal by Ms Sietsma to write an article about nude modelling for the December issue of Playboy. She had suggested the idea could be part of her work for the freelance journalism module.

However, when the piece was published accompanied by a nude picture of Ms Sietsma, eyebrows were raised.

"I don't think students should have anything to do with this sort of thing," said Paula van Schaveren, director of the journalism studies course.

She said the aim of the course was to educate students to become impartial, critical journalists.

Ultimately, it is likely that Ms Sietsma will be awarded study points after all. Ms van Schaveren is reported to want to avoid making the student the victim of an internal dispute over course policy.