How leading universities favour state school pupils ‘Social engineering’ means they can get on to A* courses with B grades

TEENAGERS from state schools are winning places at elite universities with lower A-level grades than those from independent schools, research reveals.

The latest official figures show pupils from the state sector are much more likely to be admitted to a Russell Group university with B and C grades than their privately educated peers.

These entrants are also less likely to have obtained A or A* grades.

An audit by the Daily Mail also found many top institutions are giving state school pupils offers which are up to two grades lower than course entry requirements. Generous offers are given if pupils come from poorly perform- ing schools, low income families or live in ‘low participation neighbourhoods’.

The figures emerged as universities strive to fulfil ever more ambitious government targets on social mobility, which are aimed at helping bright but disadvantaged pupils reach their potential. But yesterday critics said the selection process was too crude and questioned whether it was the right way to help those most in need.

Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: ‘ Lowering the bar is unfair on students who got the top grades and it also means people may be entering universities for which they are ill-equipped. It could have a dumbing down effect.

‘Social engineering is not the answer. The way forward is to focus on improving schools so that students can be selected on merit.’

The student information website BestCourse4me.com analysed A-level grades held by students entering 20 of the 24 Russell Group universities in the academic year 2012/2013 – the latest available.

Using data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, they found that those from state schools have lower grades on average. Around 54 per cent of the qualifications held by independent school pupils entering the 20 universities were either A* or A at A-level. This fell to 44 per cent among state entrants.

The grades B and C made up 25 per cent of the marks received by state entrants, compared with only 17 per cent among independent school students.

This pattern was most apparent at the less selective institutions such as King’s College London and Newcastle University.

At highly selective universities including Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College, private school pupils appeared to be being admit- ted with more A* grades, and state school pupils with more A grades.

Under guidelines set out by the Government’s Office for Fair Access, universities must engage in schemes to encourage poorer pupils to apply or risk forfeiting their right to charge £9,000 fees.

An audit of their ‘access agreements’ found many are admitting students with lower grades if they fulfil deprivation criteria.

The Realising Opportunities scheme – which involves 16 universities including Bristol, UCL, Exeter, Warwick and York – allows tutors to give offers which are two grades below course entry requirements.

Entry rates to higher education for 18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods of England have increased by over 60 per cent since 2006. But those from the most advantaged areas are still seven times more likely to enter a university with the highest entry requirements than those from disadvantaged areas.

Russell Group director-general Dr Wendy Piatt said raw grades are considered in a broader context, ‘but admission to university is and should be based on merit’.

‘It could have a dumbing down effect’