New data highlights issue of elitism in top UK universities

New data from HESA (the Higher Education Statistics Agency) shows that whilst an average of 89.9% of students at British universities are state-educated, Warwick admits fewer students from state schools than the average, at 77.1%.

This is despite the University’s statement that it: “encourages applications from applicants from all backgrounds and evaluates the potential of each applicant individually and on their own merits.”

The new data highlights the ongoing problem of elitism in the UK’s top universities, with the majority of Russell Group and other universities admitting fewer than average students from state schools.

Sir Peter Lampl, executive chairman of the Sutton Trust, commented that the statistics provide: “further worrying evidence of the substantial access gaps that still exist at our universities, especially at our top universities.”

Oxford is the Russell group with the lowest state school admission figures, with just 55.7% of students coming from state schools. Following closely behind are Durham, with 60.5%, Cambridge with 61.9%, and Bristol with 61.4%. Exeter also has relatively low state-school admissions figures, with 68.5% of their students being state-educated.

However, certain Russell Group universities, particularly non-English institutions, featured amongst the universities with the highest state school admissions figures. For example, 99% of Cardiff University students are state-educated, as well as 98.4% of the Queen’s University Belfast students. Some English Russell Group universities also fared better, such as Liverpool, with an 88.8% state school admissions figure and Sheffield, with 86.9%.

With regard to elitism in university admissions, Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, commented: “Ensuring our doors are wide open to talented and able students from all backgrounds really matters to Russell Group universities. And real progress has been made over the last five years with big increases in the number of black and minority ethnic students attending our universities.

“But we are far from complacent. Russell Group universities spend hundreds of millions of pounds on outreach activities in schools and colleges, and on bursaries and scholarships that support disadvantaged students through their degree course.”