27 January 2010
Without extra university places, poorer students risk losing out
Leading university think tank million+ has welcomed the news that more young people from the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods are entering higher education. Commenting on today’s report from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of million+, said: “This is a good result for Government and universities which have widened participation in higher education, across the spectrum, but especially amongst those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This success is largely due to the role of modern universities which consistently offer opportunities to students from non-traditional backgrounds but it has been made possible by the Government’s funding of record numbers of students.
“An obvious consequence of a shortage of funded places in 2010 is that those students who stand to gain most from going to university are in danger of losing out. As universities juggle the applications of candidates with very high grades against those who present with lower pre-entry qualifications, but for whom university and a degree will vastly improve their life chances, today’s good news could become tomorrow’s lost opportunity.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education www.millionplus.ac.uk
- The HEFCE report ‘Trends in young participation in higher education: core results for England’ will be available at www.hefce.ac.uk from 00:01am, Thursday 28 January
- For further information please contact Victoria Mills on 07900 277819