Less than one in 30 poor pupils get to a top university

Figures show that only 3.2 per cent of students from the poorest homes go on to study at a leading university.

While the nation’s most selective institutions have made significant headway in boosting the numbers from disadvantaged backgrounds, there is still more to do, according to Prof Les Ebdon.

In a new report published today by the Office for Fair Access (Offa), director Prof Ebdon also called on other universities and colleges to look at how they support disadvantaged students throughout their studies and prepare them for the working world.

Latest statistics from UCAS show that on average, the most advantaged 20 per cent of young people are on average, 2.5 times more likely to go on to higher education than the most disadvantaged fifth.

Among the most selective universities - typically those requiring the highest entry grades or tariff points - the richest youngsters are 6.8 times more likely to win a place, the report says.

And it adds that while progress is being made in getting more young people to start degree courses, this does not always translate into good results.

In a foreword to the report, Prof Ebdon, director of fair access, said: “There are now record rates of disadvantaged young people entering higher education and we are also starting to see significant progress at universities with the highest entrance requirements. “Despite this recent progress at highly selective universities, the participation gap between the most and least advantaged at these institutions is still much too high. My message to highly selective universities is simple - I welcome the efforts that you are making to widen the pool of potential applicants. There has been very significant positive progress in the last three years.

“Now is the time to cement this progress, and ensure that people from disadvantaged backgrounds with the potential to succeed at highly selective universities are much more likely to realise the opportunity to do so.”