Russell Group response to Sutton Trust proposals on 'Innovative University Admissions'

12 July 2009

Responding to the report released by the Sutton Trust, “Innovative University Admissions Worldwide: A Percent Scheme for the UK?” Director General of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities, Dr Wendy Piatt, said:

“Our universities are constantly examining the most effective ways of ensuring that we identify the candidates with the potential to excel on our courses and to give them the opportunity to demonstrate that talent and potential. So this report is a welcome contribution to the important debate on how to widen access to higher education in the most effective and fairest way.

“As this report shows, Russell Group universities are already heavily involved in a range of access schemes which aim to inspire and encourage students from backgrounds which make them less likely to consider the benefits of going to university. Many schemes – like the ‘special entry routes’ for candidates from non-traditional backgrounds- draw on a range of factors and information in order to identify potential, talent and intellectual curiosity which may not be reflected in traditional qualifications. The admissions process takes into account any particular barriers the candidate may have faced during their education such as spending time in care. Initial evaluations of some of these schemes have shown extremely promising results: the students who entered through the access schemes are almost just as likely to gain a top grade in their degree as candidates entering through a conventional route.

“So the Russell Group is happy to examine these proposals in detail and discuss them with the Sutton Trust, so we can build most effectively on the work our institutions have been doing to help minimise the barriers facing disadvantaged young people."
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Notes:

Below is a selection of examples of access schemes and alternative entry routes at Russell Group universities:

• Access to Birmingham (A2B) provides supported entry routes into higher education. This scheme consists of an online study support module to help with academic writing skills, a student shadowing experience and an essay specific to the course applied for, set and marked by university tutors.
• The King’s College London Access to Medicine team works to encourage and enable young people from eligible areas to study at medical school or to train for careers in the health service or biomedical sciences. It includes the Extended medical Degree Programme which is a six year degree programme for students from disadvantaged backgrounds in targeted inner London boroughs to become doctors.
• Access to Leeds is the University of Leeds’ alternative entry scheme, offering special consideration to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• The Manchester Access Programme is a structured scheme for local post-16 students who meet specific academic and background criteria. The aim of the programme is to support entry to The University of Manchester, or another research intensive university, through the completion of a portfolio of work demonstrating specific knowledge and skills. MAP gives students the opportunity to show their potential through a series of activities and tasks. Students who successfully complete the programme will have a portfolio of additional evidence which the University will use when making an offer of a place.
• Cardiff University’s Step up to Health Compact Scheme operates over 3 years starting in year 11. It gives school pupils a number of opportunities to learn more about higher education and, in particular, about health courses and health professions. It includes a presentation evening, student mentors, summer school, mentor shadowing and a day conference on applying to university.