A Bavarian university has taken two of its undergraduates to court for taking the concept of lifelong learning too literally.

When the law students, a married couple, tried to enrol for their 43rd and 45th semesters, Friedrich-Alexander-University took legal action, saying that they had not passed the necessary exams.

Dean of students Dietrich Kramer said: "Studying? I wouldn't say that...

Over the last 20 years they definitely haven't been."

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But the court disagreed, saying that the students should have been contacted shortly after 1998 legislation came into force requiring regular exams within stated periods.

The case highlights a common problem in Germany, where tuition fees are illegal and where high unemployment deters students entering the jobs market.

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Dr Kramer said that the low prices and special treatment for students should not be "some kind of lifelong pension. It's simply a misuse of public funds."

The students could not be reached for comment.