Universities dismiss idea of easier entry for poorer students

The National Union of Students (NUS) said it was time  for universities to sign up to  legally binding and enforceable widening access agreements, along with the use of “differential offers” to increase the participation of those from deprived backgrounds.

Figures released by the NUS yesterday showed the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh  and St Andrews are recruiting just one student from the most deprived backgrounds for every 16 from the most affluent homes.

But the body representing principals, Universities Scotland, said institutions were already working hard to encourage  applications from the poorest students, and said it was up to  individual institutions to set their own entry requirements.

Next month, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) will begin publishing “outcome agreements” which will require universities to widen access in return for a generous funding settlement from the Scottish Government.

However, it is unlikely the measures will go as far as telling universities to lower entry requirements for students from poorer backgrounds.

Robin Parker, president of NUS Scotland, said: “The most positive thing out of the  report is that we know what works, and it highlights best practice at some universities which has seen students from poorer backgrounds, even those with lower grades, outperform those from better-off backgrounds.

“Achieving fair access is therefore not about some kind of social engineering or charity, it’s about getting the best people into our precious university places.”

While some Scottish universities already offer special admission routes to allow poorer applicants to “top up” their grades, the NUS said it wanted institutions to follow the lead of a small number of those  in England where different entry requirements have been introduced depending on an  applicant’s school.

Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities seek to recognise potential as well as attainment in their  admissions processes.

“They make use of contextual information as well as grades and UCAS tariff scores, and institutions typically offer top-up or bridging schools for those whose potential may not be fully reflected in exam results.

“Decisions on admissions have to rest with universities, and universities need to decide how best to evaluate candidates’ academic potential.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government added: “To ensure that Scottish students can  take up university places based on their ability to learn, not  their ability to pay, access  agreements will be included in forthcoming legislation on  post-16 education.

“It will be up to universities to consider how best to meet these agreements, and there  are already a number of good examples of institutions working with students from deprived areas around the country.”