Universities should use “privilege flags”, says charity CEO

Universities should introduce “privilege flags” so that admissions tutors are aware that students are from more affluent backgrounds, a widening participation charity has suggested.

Dr Rachel Carr OBE, CEO of IntoUniversity, a charity that raises aspiration among disadvantaged children, has stated that this would allow universities to see who has been placed at an advantage.

Dr Carr said: “Lots of universities already use participation flags to identify students.

“How about we also use ‘privilege flags’ so we can see the students who already have a much better start and a much better likelihood of success.”

She clarified that the move would be intended to enable tutors to put applications in context and not “deny” anyone a place at a top university.

Dr Carr said that the “privilege flags” were a “tongue in cheek” suggestion; arguing that there should be some kind of “filter”.

A number of top universities already use contextual data to highlight applicants who have been in care, come from a deprived area or attend a poorly performing school.

How about we also use ‘privilege flags’ so we can see the students who already have a much better start and a much better likelihood of success

– Dr Rachel Carr OBE, CEO of IntoUniversity

During a panel discussion on boosting diversity at university, Dr Carr stated that “no fair-minded person” would compare a child who has been educated at Eton with a child who went to a comprehensive school in a deprived community.

This month, Dr Carr spoke at King’s College, Cambridge, explaining that resources should also be invested in primary school students if a difference is to be made, alongside already coaching disadvantaged sixth form students through the admissions process.

Earlier this year, the Office for Students (OfS) revealed that the number of middle class students accepted into university must fall in order to meet diversity targets.

The universities regulator has also suggested that poorer pupils with BCC grades at A level should be considered for places at Oxford and Cambridge.

“A young person from a council estate who gets decent A levels has often had to work a lot harder,” commented Sir Michael Barber, chairman of the Office for Students.

Recently, the University of Warwick launched a new policy of lower grade requirements, discounted tuition fees and a bursary for students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the local area.