A professor of law at Leibniz University, in Hannover, Germany, has been sentenced to three years in jail for taking bribes from students he accepted as doctoral candidates, the German news agency Deutsche Welle reported.

The professor, who was not named, confessed in court today that he had accepted around $250,000 in bribes for admitting students who did not necessarily meet the academic standards required to pursue a doctorate, the news agency said. “Of the 68 students accepted by the professor, only 10 went on to obtain the title of doctor,” it said. The students were channeled to the professor by a consulting firm, whose director is being tried separately.

Explaining his motive, the professor said that his salary of around 5,000 euros ($7,850) was insufficient to cover his debts.

Academic titles are highly regarded in Germany, and the designation of “doctor” is especially sought after and difficult to acquire. —Aisha Labi