Social Mobility Advisory Group - Response

10 October 2016

Commenting on the UUK Social Mobility Advisory Group report, Director General of the Russell Group, Dr Wendy Piatt, said:

“We are committed to ensuring our doors are wide open to talented and able students from all backgrounds.

“The way to succeed in increasing access is to understand the root causes of the under-representation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. We know much already about the importance of prior academic attainment, levels of ambition and the need for robust information advice and guidance. 

“The work done by the Social Mobility Advisory Group highlights many of the things we have often said, such as students needing the right information, advice and guidance. Our Informed Choices guide has all the up to date advice on the best subject choices for entrance to our universities.

“The report also notes that clear and unambiguous evidence needs to be collected to identify causes and solutions to this society-wide issue. The recommendations helpfully highlight the need for flexibility for institutions to put into practice what works on an individual basis rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all solution.

“Our universities have made considerable progress in widening participation in recent years but more needs to be done. They work closely with schools throughout the country to raise attainment and aspirations through a wide variety of effective ways including student mentoring, sharing facilities and support for teachers – in addition to setting up schools or sponsoring academies . Our members recently launched Advancing Access - a vital resource for teachers to support students who have the promise and potential to attend a Russell Group university. They also spend millions of pounds on bursaries and access initiatives exploring a variety of ways to increase access to highly-selective institutions and students’ success on their courses.”

Notes to editors

1. The 20 Russell Group universities in England alone will be investing £254 million in 2017/18 in scholarships, fee waivers, bursaries and outreach activities aimed at the most disadvantaged – with additional investments being made across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

2. Department for Education destination data published in January showed that the number of students eligible for free school meals going to Russell Group universities has increased every year since 2010. In 2013, almost 13% of the students (1820) eligible for free school meals who went into higher education went to a Russell Group university, up from 7.5% (910) in 2010.

3. According to HESA since 2009/10:

  • The number of young, full-time undergraduate students from low socioeconomic backgrounds entering a Russell Group university has increased by 14%, from 12,655 to 14,415 in 2014/15
  • The number of young, full-time undergraduate students who attended state schools going to Russell Group universities each year has increased by 8.2% from 56,440 to 61,080 in 2014/15

4. According to the UCAS End of Cycle 2015 report (which details university applicant and acceptance rates for entry in Sept 2015) since 2009/10:

  • The number of Black students accepted bt Russell Grup universities has increased by 62% from 1,690 in 2010 to 2,740 in 2015.
  • The number of Asian students accepted by Russell Group universities has increased by 28% from 7,285 in 2010 to 9,350 in 2015
  • The number of Mixed ethnicity students accepted by Russell Group universities has increased by 43%, from 2,760 in 2010 to 3,940 in 2015.

5. The Russell Group report, Opening Doors, Understanding and overcoming the barriers to university access, and accompanying films examine the root causes of under-representation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and give examples of what Russell Group universities are doing to help tackle the problem.  

6. The ‘Progression to Russell Group universities’ conferences were held at the University of Cambridge on Monday 18 April and at the University of Liverpool on Tuesday 26 April. Building on the success of the conferences, materials and presentations have been developed into an online resource – Advancingaccess.co.uk

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