Alarm over fall in white boys going to university
THE number of white males finding university places has dropped – the only group to see a fall during a bumper year.
Nearly 10 per cent fewer white men won a place this year compared to 2014, an analysis of UCAS figures showed.
Around 127,250 people in this demographic found a place this year compared to 141,170 seven years ago.
Asian men securing places rose by 26 per cent in the same period, and Asian women 39 per cent.
The number of mixed-race males climbed 35 per cent from 7,290 to 9,850 and mixed-race females by 39 per cent to 13,320 from 9,540.
Floundering
A record number of candidates secured a place within a month of A-level results day this year. At least 448,080 students are scheduled to start degree courses, a rise from 441,720 last year.
But 127,330 white males got places in 2020 compared to 127,250 this year.
MPs this year found white children on free school meals – and boys particularly – were consistently floundering in education compared with other ethnic groups.
It said 13 per cent of white workingclass boys go on to higher education and called on universities to set goals to boost the numbers of working-class students. Oxford University chemistry professor Peter Edwards said: “These young people see the continuing special dispensations such as quotas aimed at other groups who are, in fact, consistently outperforming white working-class males.
“I have seen the real disdain of academics for the mores of the white working-class male. These young people have much to contribute and their ambitions must now be rekindled.
“My concern is their sense of feeling forgotten at the expense of other groups will lead to grave societal problems.”
The analysts warned the use of the term “white privilege” could also be divisive. Professor Matthew Goodwin, from Kent University, said: “Successive governments have failed. Boris Johnson should be doing far more.”
The Department for Education said: “We have made real progress in supporting more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education.
“Record numbers earned a place at university this year, but there is more to do.
“Ensuring everyone has the opportunity to access a world-class education is a priority. We expect universities to do all they can to help disadvantaged students.”