Commenting on UCAS’ 2020 end of cycle data release, James Turner,
CEO of the Sutton Trust, said:
“It is right to call for strong action to close the equality gap
in access to the most selective universities. After decades of
hard work, there has been significant progress in increasing the
numbers of less affluent pupils at these institutions. But as
UCAS point out, the current rate of change is just too slow. We
don’t have time to wait hundreds of years as each and every year
represents a waste of talent.
“Today’s analysis shows that progress was made in 2020 and
further gains are within reach. But these projections may rely on
universities continuing to expand the number of places on offer,
which is challenging. Whatever the number of places available in
higher education in the future, these should go to the most
talented students, regardless of background.
“This means recognising that potential is not always captured in
grades, so universities need to make offers that reflect
students’ individual circumstances. This is particularly crucial
in 2021, as lower-income youngsters are more likely to have faced
significant disruptions to their learning which will have a
knock-on effect on their exam results.
“UCAS is right to highlight the application barriers and the need
for broader and deeper advice and information to all. As their
polling shows, young people look to their parents for advice,
which could unwittingly disadvantage those whose parents didn’t
go to university. Our own programmes, which have reached almost
50,000 young people to date, help students from lower income
homes to get advice and support to make the best choices about
their futures.
“Today’s data also shows that students are increasingly looking
to study near to their own home. This trend could potentially
worsen the geographic divide we have seen develop in recent
years, and endanger prospects for levelling up. Our own research
has found a major reason for this is cost. It’s crucial that all
young people have the financial support to move away to
university, should that be the best decision for them.”
