Universities to increase lower offers for disadvantaged students
Universities are to increase the use of lower entry grade offers for disadvantaged students.
Vice-chancellors are being encouraged to allow more 'contextual admissions' to improve access for students who face barriers.
Universities UK (UUK), which represents 141 universities, has unveiled a plan for a 'more transparent and consistent approach' to contextual admissions which take into account a student's circumstances and background to recognise the barriers they may have faced.
Contextual admissions are already widely used across universities but there is currently no consistent approach to the practice. The offers are typically a grade or two lower than advertised course entry requirements and can also include guaranteed interviews or additional support.
As part of the new plan, named Access to Success, UUK, Ucas and the Sutton Trust will start a joint review of the criteria used for contextual admissions to encourage greater consistency across universities in England.
UUK said the current admissions system is 'hard to navigate and a barrier' which is potentially putting off young people who could benefit.
The project aims to support universities in England with contextual admissions to ensure students are not prevented from reaching university because of their backgrounds.
The plan also calls on universities and the Government to raise aspirations by collaborating in 'local cold spots' where historically fewer people go into higher education.
UUK said: 'Our goal is to bring greater consistency to how universities approach contextual admissions and to encourage more universities to adopt them so that young people who meet the criteria can apply with greater confidence to the options available to them.'
It added that universities should work with schools and further education colleges to provide improved information and advice to help students in making the right choice.
Currently it varies widely how universities use information on students' backgrounds to help improve the chances of those who are disadvantaged. Oxford and Cambridge universities use 'contextual data' to better understand achievements in individual backgrounds to compare applicants fairly.
The most disadvantaged young people applying to Oxford will be strongly recommended to be shortlisted for interview if they perform to a suitable standard in admissions tests.
Cambridge says it does not 'systematically make conditional offers at lower grades' but data provides the fullest picture of applicants and the context of their achievements.
However many other top universities such as King's College London and Bath make contextual offers of up to two grades lower than typical entry requirements.
Prof Dame Sally Mapstone, the president of UUK and vice-chancellor of the University of St Andrews, said that those who stood to benefit the most from higher education often find it harder to secure opportunities.
'Going to university can completely change the trajectory of someone's life,' she said. 'Few other experiences offer the chance for individuals to gain new skills, boost future earnings, get a foot on the career ladder and make connections that last a lifetime.
'But people who stand to benefit the most from higher education, such as those from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, can find it harder to access this opportunity due to their personal circumstances.
'Higher education should be a realistic option for everyone with the potential to succeed, no matter their background.'
Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, added that many prospective students are not aware of contextual offers.
'If young people aren't made fully aware of where and how they may benefit from a contextual offer, they may think a course or university is out of their reach and never apply.
'We look forward to working together on this initiative to build on existing good practice and deliver lasting, sector-wide change.'
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Striking images showing environmental destruction aim to ‘inspire action'
Editor's Note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action. Tree-covered mountains rise behind a pile of trash, children run through the orange haze of a dust storm, and a billboard standing on parched earth indicates where the seashore used to be before desertification took hold. These striking images, exhibited as part of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, show the devastating effects of climate change. The summit, held at the University of Oxford in the UK and supported by UN Human Rights (OHCHR), aims to reframe climate change as a human rights crisis and spotlight climate solutions. It works with everyone from policymakers to artists to get the message across. 'Photographers document the human rights impacts of climate change, helping to inform the public and hold governments and businesses accountable,' said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for the OHCHR, via email. 'The Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit shows the power of collective action — uniting storytellers, scientists, indigenous leaders, and others to advance climate solutions rooted in human rights.' Coinciding with World Environment Day on June 5, the exhibition — titled 'Photography 4 Humanity: A Lens on Climate Justice' — features the work of 31 photographers from across the globe, all documenting the effects of global warming and environmental pollution on their own communities. Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations around the world. Despite emitting far fewer greenhouse gases, low-income nations are suffering the most from extreme weather events and have fewer resources to adapt or recover. Photographs at the exhibition show the effects of desertification, flooding and plastic pollution. A black and white image shows the ruins of a house in West Bengal, India, sloping towards the Ganges River, with the owner sitting alongside. Riverbank erosion is degrading the environment and displacing communities in the area. Photographer Masood Sarwer said in a press release that the photo depicts the 'slow violence' of climate change: 'These are not sudden disasters, but slow-moving, relentless ones — shaping a new category of environmental refugees.' Another photo, taken by Aung Chan Thar, shows children fishing for trash in Inle Lake, Myanmar. The lake was once a pristine natural wonder but now faces the growing threat of plastic pollution. 'This image of children cleaning the water symbolizes the importance of education and collective action in preserving our environment for a sustainable future,' he said. Organizers hope that the exhibition will help to humanize the climate crisis. 'Our mission is to inspire new perspectives through photography,' said Pauline Benthede, global vice president of artistic direction and exhibitions at Fotografiska, the museum of photography, art and culture that is curating the exhibition at the summit. 'It draws attention to the human rights issue at the heart of global warming, which affects both the world's landscapes and the people that live within them.' 'Photography is the most influential and inclusive art form of our times and has the power to foster understanding and inspire action,' she added.
CNN
7 days ago
- CNN
Striking images showing environmental destruction aim to ‘inspire action'
Tree-covered mountains rise behind a pile of trash, children run through the orange haze of a dust storm, and a billboard standing on parched earth indicates where the seashore used to be before desertification took hold. These striking images, exhibited as part of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, show the devastating effects of climate change. The summit, held at the University of Oxford in the UK and supported by UN Human Rights (OHCHR), aims to reframe climate change as a human rights crisis and spotlight climate solutions. It works with everyone from policymakers to artists to get the message across. 'Photographers document the human rights impacts of climate change, helping to inform the public and hold governments and businesses accountable,' said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for the OHCHR, via email. 'The Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit shows the power of collective action — uniting storytellers, scientists, indigenous leaders, and others to advance climate solutions rooted in human rights.' Coinciding with World Environment Day on June 5, the exhibition — titled 'Photography 4 Humanity: A Lens on Climate Justice' — features the work of 31 photographers from across the globe, all documenting the effects of global warming and environmental pollution on their own communities. Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations around the world. Despite emitting far fewer greenhouse gases, low-income nations are suffering the most from extreme weather events and have fewer resources to adapt or recover. Photographs at the exhibition show the effects of desertification, flooding and plastic pollution. A black and white image shows the ruins of a house in West Bengal, India, sloping towards the Ganges River, with the owner sitting alongside. Riverbank erosion is degrading the environment and displacing communities in the area. Photographer Masood Sarwer said in a press release that the photo depicts the 'slow violence' of climate change: 'These are not sudden disasters, but slow-moving, relentless ones — shaping a new category of environmental refugees.' Another photo, taken by Aung Chan Thar, shows children fishing for trash in Inle Lake, Myanmar. The lake was once a pristine natural wonder but now faces the growing threat of plastic pollution. 'This image of children cleaning the water symbolizes the importance of education and collective action in preserving our environment for a sustainable future,' he said. Organizers hope that the exhibition will help to humanize the climate crisis. 'Our mission is to inspire new perspectives through photography,' said Pauline Benthede, global vice president of artistic direction and exhibitions at Fotografiska, the museum of photography, art and culture that is curating the exhibition at the summit. 'It draws attention to the human rights issue at the heart of global warming, which affects both the world's landscapes and the people that live within them.' 'Photography is the most influential and inclusive art form of our times and has the power to foster understanding and inspire action,' she added.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
Sens. Fetterman, McCormick find common ground in FOX Nation debate
(WHTM) — Pennsylvania's two first-term senators sat in stark contrast to each other as they shared a stage Monday, but they found common ground. Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dave McCormick participated in FOX Nation's 'The Senate Project,' an Oxford-style debate that brings legislators together to discuss topics. The event took place in Boston. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now McCormick and Fetterman both expressed support for Nippon Steel's proposed investment in U.S. Steel. Previously, both senators were vocal about their opposition to the Japanese company's initial proposal to purchase the company. They also agreed on 'getting tough' on Russia and Iran, as well as sealing the border. Fetterman took aim at his own party for its handling of the issue. In recent days, the Democratic Senator has found himself on the receiving end of party attacks. Fetterman dismissed criticism from former staffers over missed votes in the Senate. He said he missed those votes because they were on Mondays. 'Those are travel days,' Fetterman said. 'I have three young kids, and those are throwaway procedural votes that were never determinative, or they weren't important, and that's a choice that I made. If you want to attack me for that, go ahead, but I'd like to point out that Bernie and Senator Murray missed more, so why aren't the left media yelling and demanding them or claiming they're not doing their job? Be genuine on that.' Fetterman claims media trying to 'smear' him over missed votes, absences Sen. Fetterman said he will be present to vote on President Donald Trump's spending plan. He said he is a 'likely no' because of its changes to SNAP benefits. McCormick said he will vote yes on the bill because it will root out waste, fraud and abuse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
