UCAS denies “racial profiling” and reaffirms “transparent” services

According to data from the UCAS admissions service, The Independent found that black students seeking a place at university are 21 times more likely than their white counterparts to have their applications investigated for missing or suspected false information.

52% of UK applications flagged by UCAS between 2013 and 2017 were from black students, despite black applicants making up 9% of all university applicants.

Out of 42,580 black applicants last September, one in every 102 applicants were investigated. In the same period, 388,465 white British applications were submitted, with one in every 2,146 applications triggering further inspection.

As a result, the Labour Party has accused the UCAS admissions service of “institutional racism”, and has demanded a progression away from “racial profiling”.

UCAS refuted any justification for a “loss in confidence” in the system after the figures were revealed. UCAS Chief Executive Officer Clare Marchant said: “I think one of the things we did was be really transparent about it. I was really keen to be as transparent as possible.

“As long as UCAS is absolutely open to changing the way it operates – and being transparent about the data – I think that’s actually a strength rather than detracting from our reputation.”

She conceded that improving communication was necessary to stop students feeling hindered from continuing their application process.

She said: “Just because you’re flagged doesn’t mean we are going to cancel. So the tone in which you speak to people, or email people, needs to be fit for the 21st century. It’s got to be courteous.”

Ilyas Nagdee, black students’ officer at the National Union of Students (NUS), expressed his concerns to The Independent in questioning the reasons behind black students being more likely to have their applications flagged in comparison to their white peers.

He said: “UCAS’s antidote needs to go beyond naval-gazing at the tone of voice of their staff, it needs to tackle systemic issues of unconscious bias which are hindering talented black students from entering and benefiting from higher education.”

Samuel Babarinde, a black prospective student who had his application flagged by UCAS, withdrew his application after finding the investigation process “intimidating”.

“I felt I had been singled out. It felt like I was already guilty before being found guilty,” he said.