Latest news with #OxfordBrookes
Daily Mail
09-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
REVEALED: Students getting into university with three Es at A-level in order to hit Government diversity targets
Students with A-level grades as low as three Es are being enrolled at universities to hit Government diversity targets, data reveals. Figures from admissions body UCAS show many top universities, including the University of East Anglia, Oxford Brookes and Kent University, are accepting severely underperforming students in a bid to fulfil equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) targets. The practice has become widespread across the sector after the Government-sponsored Office for Students (OfS) regulator urged universities to be more 'ambitious' in 'reducing inequality'. It warned them that if they don't narrow the so-called 'access gap' between students by this year, they could face fines. The data – revealed on the UCAS website, which lists all courses available in Clearing and their entry requirements – comes days before pupils receive their A-level exam results on Thursday. It means anyone picking up disappointing results is still likely to be snapped up in Clearing, the process which matches unplaced students with unfilled courses. Data showed students with DDE grades being accepted to study economics at Oxford Brookes, which usually asks for ABB. Kent University has admitted CDD students onto its maths degree, while it officially asks for grades of ABB. And the University of East Anglia has admitted students with CCD on to its American studies course, officially requiring ABB. Meanwhile, those with three D grades have done nursing at the University of South Wales, where standard requirements are BBB. Typically, universities let in students with lower grades – making a 'contextual offer ' – if they reveal on their UCAS form that they suffered disadvantage. A handful also take into account race or gender. In addition, some consider UCAS' listing of poor white males as a disadvantaged group, while the University of South Wales' nursing course takes into account whether students come from an ethnic minority group. These contextual admissions are now being used by a quarter of all British universities, according to Sutton Trust research. In another example, Bournemouth University admitted students with EEE grades onto its computer science course, which ordinarily demands BCC. The university said they came in via an additional 'foundation year', which has much lower entry requirements. Latest Government figures show the number of universities offering foundation years rose from 52 in 2011/12 to 105 in 2021/22, with entrants soaring from just 8,470 to 69,325 over that period. The Government claims foundation years are a 'valuable pathway to higher education, particularly for students from under-represented backgrounds'. But critics questioned whether those achieving low grades would be able to cope with course content. Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, told The Mail on Sunday: 'Universities are betraying young people by encouraging them to sign up for courses for which they are not qualified. 'It will mean degree courses will have to be dumbed down. This will do long-term damage to the quality of our public services, the professions and to the economy.' Mr McGovern added that 'the majority of school leavers and, indeed, the country are far better served by vocational training'. The trend developed after universities were ordered to inform the OfS every year on what progress they are making towards EDI targets. In addition, it can be financially beneficial for universities to be less selective as it means they do not need to run loss-making, half-full courses. The OfS said: 'Our aim is that anyone with the ability and desire to pursue higher education can access the life-changing benefits it can bring.' A Department for Education spokesman said: 'While universities are independent from government and responsible for their own admissions decisions, it is essential that quality is maintained and that the students they admit are likely to succeed.' When contacted, Bournemouth, South Wales and East Anglia universities confirmed they use contextual admissions for disadvantaged students but said they maintain high academic standards. The other universities mentioned declined to comment.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pupils 'inspired' by female motor racings stars
Racing drivers Vanina Ickx (left) and Marta Garcia (second from right) were pictured with members of Oxford Brookes University's racing team [BBC] School pupils have described meeting female motor racing stars as "motivating" and "inspiring". The group of girls attended a talk by Vanina Ickx and Marta Garcia at Oxford Brookes University as part of a celebration of International Women in Engineering Day. Advertisement Garcia, who became the inaugural Formula 1 Academy champion in 2023, said it was vital to encourage the next generation of women working in the industry. "It's good to tell them our stories because then they get to know motorsport, how we started, and how to overcome obstacles," she said. Garcia and Ickx represent the Iron Dames, an Italian-Swiss auto racing and equestrian team. Garcia said she thought the industry was doing "much more" to attract girls to the sport. She cited the creation of the Formula 1 Academy, which is a female-only racing championship, and the development of school programmes to introduce girls to go-karts. Student Karma said the Iron Dames were "really inspiring" [BBC] The girls at the talk said they found the women inspiring and motivating. Advertisement Student Karma said she had been learning more about engineering. "[When watching Formula 1], you see all the races and the cars... but you never see what makes it, everyone always looks at the service but not the things behind it," she said. She said the Iron Dames were "really inspiring" and their efforts to "make male and female equal" was "really, really cool". Student Clara liked how "dedicated" the Oxford Brookes Racing team is [BBC] The pupils also met the award-winning Oxford Brookes Racing team and learned about the electric racing vehicle they develop each year to compete in the International Formula Student competition. Student Clara said she liked how "dedicated" the team was. Advertisement "It's cool how all of them have their area and want to do that well, instead of all wanting to drive - because that's not the most important part." International Women in Engineering Day is marked every June and aims to raise the profile of women in engineering, celebrate their achievements, and highlight some of the career opportunities available to them around the world. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Related Links
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Has AI 'transformed' university studies for the better?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has impacted industries across the globe since its widespread emergence - fewer more so than higher ability to generate detailed information at the touch of a button has changed university studies forever - but is that for the better?A recent survey of thousands of students across the globe found many used the technology to assist their studies, but also feared it could affect their future told the BBC that AI had "transformed" her studies, praising it for making her "more confident" with her experts have taken a more nuanced view of its affects - with one saying that it had "both positive and negative impacts" on higher education studies. Sunjaya Phillips, originally from Worcestershire, is a marketing communications management student at Oxford Brookes 22-year-old said she uses AI, with the permission of lecturers, to create ideas and structure essays during her Phillips, who is currently on a placement year, said the technology gave her "reassurance", helping her "become more confident" with her work."During my second year, AI emerged a lot - especially with using it as a study buddy or to help integrate into my university work," she explained."At Brookes it's quite an open conversation with how to use AI and how you can use it to help with your assignment work to structure assignments or give you creative ideas.""Sometimes with creative ideas you could be stuck for a whole day - but then when you use AI for prompts to generate ideas for you, it can do it in 30 minutes.""It definitely transformed my academic experience," she students have previously told the BBC about how they used AI to cheat during their studies, with one saying she "massively regretted" using the technology. Dr Charlie Simpson, who has written pieces on AI in education, said it was "getting harder and harder to find aspects of higher education that are not touched by AI in some way"."When used responsibly, AI tools enable students to direct their attention to the more important parts of learning and improve their self-development," Dr Simpson, who is also a senior lecturer in sport and exercise science at Oxford Brookes, said."However, if AI is not used responsibly within a degree course, and students outsource their thinking and development to technology just to gain a qualification, then that serves no useful purpose."A study commissioned by student housing company Yugo recently found that 44% of UK students were excited by AI, whilst a similar proportion also used it during their Keiichi Nakata, from Henley Business School, said that "as with any new technology", AI had "both positive and negative impacts" on Nakata is director of AI at The World of Work Institute at the school, which is part of the University of Reading, and helps organisations get to grips with the technology."It is positive because students now have an additional set of tools to work with when used appropriately and responsibly," he explained."However, if used simply to cut corners or do the work for you, then it does not help students to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviour through their studies." 'Support system' Dr Simpson said if universities were to "embrace and adapt" AI effectively, the capabilities of future graduates could "vastly exceed those of previous generations"."The degrees of the future will be as challenging to obtain as they are now, but the capabilities of graduates will have increased, so degree standards must also increase," he Yugo research, which involved 7,274 students from across Europe, the US and Australia, found that 78% of UK students feared job losses due AI.A separate study by Henley Business School earlier this month found UK workers were optimistic but overwhelmed by the Phillips said she was not concerned about AI related job losses, saying she saw the technology as a "support system".People need to "make a shift in the perspective of AI and how to use it to your advantage, and not see it as something that's gonna replace you," she Nakata said he believed that the "skill to make effective use of AI" would soon be "expected by employers, just like IT skills"."Obviously, this will vary from industry to industry and job roles, but the ability to use suitable AI tools appropriately and responsibly to be productive at work should have positive impact on their [current university student's] career prospects," he added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The National
27-04-2025
- General
- The National
Oman's Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham marries in private ceremony at Al Alam Palace
Oman's Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham has married in a private ceremony in Muscat. The wedding was held on Thursday, April 24, at Mazay Hall in Al Alam Palace. Oman's Sultan Haitham attended the wedding ceremony alongside members of the royal family and senior officials. Images shared on Omani media and social platforms showed the Crown Prince and his bride alongside family and close relatives during the celebration. The bride, Sayyida Alia bint Mohammed Al Busaidi, is from a prominent Omani family. Her uncle Sayyid Saud Al Busaidi, is the governor of Muscat and her other uncle Ahmed bin Hilal Al Busaidi is Oman's ambassador to the UAE. Prince Theyazin was born in 1990. He was made Oman's first Crown Prince in 2021 after constitutional amendments that formalised the royal succession process. He studied at Oxford and Oxford Brookes universities in the UK and graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2022. Before his appointment he served as minister of culture, sports and youth. The marriage was widely welcomed across Oman. Citizens shared congratulations and blessings on social media. The Omani Crown Prince obtained a bachelor's degree at the University of Oxford and a master's in history at Oxford Brookes.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Olympic medallist returns to Oxford Brookes University to speak about career
An Olympic medallist and former Oxford Brookes student has returned to the university to share how he has achieved a successful career. Dan Bigham, who won a silver medal in the track cycling team pursuit event at the Paris 2024 Games, spoke at The Inside Track, the university's annual employability event for sport and coaching sciences. It was held on March 3 at the Headington campus and was attended by students, alumni, industry professionals, and university staff. Mr Bigham, who is also an aerodynamicist and performance engineer, shared his journey from student to elite athlete and engineer. (L-R) Kit Cutter, senior lecturer and sport and coaching sciences employability lead, Dan Bigham, and John Brierley, senior lecturer and deputy programme lead (Image: Oxford Brookes University) He offered insights into a 'reverse engineering mindset' - strategically mapping career goals and working backwards to achieve them. He said: "Your career isn't something that happens to you - it's something that you design. "To engineer your own success, say yes to uncomfortable opportunities, develop skills beyond your core discipline, actively seek feedback, and build your network strategically." The event also featured Andy McGill, higher technical education manager at the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. Mr McGill highlighted the importance of professional status and recognition in the industry and discussed the evolving career pathways in sport and physical activity. The event provided a platform for discussions between students and industry professionals, with attendees exploring opportunities for placements, internships, and graduate roles. A networking session allowed students to connect with experts, seek advice, and take steps toward their careers.
