Students from wealthier areas are six times more likely to get into top universities, study reveals

STUDENTS from richer neighbourhoods are six times more likely to get into top universities, a new study reveals.

The Office for Students (OfS) blasted vice chancellors for failing to do enough to get bright but underprivileged kids in.

And they said unis should offer teens from poorer backgrounds lower grades – known as contextual offers – to get a place.

Sir Michael Barber, chairman of the OfS, will tell a conference in London today: “We are wasting talent, denying opportunity and hurting our economy by not making the most of our greatest asset – our people.

“A young person from a council estate who gets decent A levels has often had to work a lot harder than the young person from a better off neighbourhood who gets a few grades more.

“That’s why it is right that contextual admissions are now an increasing part of the picture.”

He said radical changes are needed to overhaul admissions so that more than just exam results matter.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said he wants unis to take more than just grades into account when dishing out places.

He said: “A university education should be available to everyone who has the talent to benefit from it and we have made great progress in ensuring universities are open to all, with record rates of disadvantaged 18-year-olds in higher education.

“But there is more to do and we know that contextual offers can play an important part in levelling the playing field so those from disadvantaged backgrounds can flourish in higher education.

“I want institutions to consider a broad range of information in their offers, including the context in which a student’s results were achieved.”

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