‘Merit is clearly not enough’.

A Cambridge college asked its former students about their working life, with revealing results.

One of the few all-female colleges at Cambridge University, Murray Edwards College – better known as New Hall – asked 1,000 former students about obstacles they had encountered during their careers.

Of the 824 obstacles that were listed, 38 per cent of respondents said gender inequality, discrimination, bias, bullying, undervalued work and non-supportive and difficult colleagues and managers were the most significant obstacles to their careers.

The numbers were consistent across all age ranges, suggesting new laws on equal opportunities have not had any significant impact.

Most of graduates surveyed felt they had to work harder than their male colleagues in order to prove themselves.

And in contrast to traditional thinking, work-life balance was less of an issue, with more than half of those surveyed saying they had managed to combine work and family comfortably.

Speaking about the survey’s findings, Dame Barbara Stocking, a former alumna and president of Murray Edwards, said: “This is a shocking result.

“If women say that they are not being treated on merit then all the arguments against positive discrimination – or quotas in certain areas – fall away.

“Our survey confirms my belief that the only way to achieve a more equal balance in the workplace is by introducing quotas. Merit is clearly not enough.”

Dame Stocking, who is also the former head of Oxfam, added: “Sadly, our survey also showed that women rarely cited support from their employers as being a positive force.”

Those surveyed said they had got to where they are through their own drive and determination, as well as support from partners, friends, family and mentors.

At the top of the list of their ambitions was ‘making a difference to society’ and the women wanted to have their voices heard, have a collaborative relationship with their colleagues and feel respected and valued in their role.

When asked what they would have done to improve their careers, the majority said they would have undertaken more leadership coaching, improved their confidence building skills and done more mentoring and networking.

Nearly half said they would have got more sleep, and 72 per cent wanted more time for exercise.

Commenting on the future for women in the workplace, Dame Stocking said: “Unless we see a true cultural shift and change of attitude throughout the fabric of our workplaces, no matter how hard a college like Murray Edwards tries, it will still be difficult for our women to have the impact they aspire to in the world.”

A seminar to help current students is due to be held this year to mark the 6oth year of the college, whose alumnae including Claudia Winkleman, Tilda Swinton and Mishal Husain.