Universities to increase lower offers for disadvantaged students

Telegraph

23-04-2025

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.
'Local cold spots'
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.