More poor pupils applying to uni

Rising numbers of poorer teenagers are planning to go to university, but they are still half as likely to apply as their richer peers, new figures suggests.

There is also an increased demand for higher education this year among youngsters from all ethnic backgrounds.

The statistics, published by university admissions service Ucas, show the proportions of 18-year-olds in England applying to start degree courses this year, based on their social and ethnic background.

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Dr Lee Elliot Major, director of policy and development at the Sutton Trust, said: “It is good that the numbers of disadvantaged students applying to university are growing, and the gap with other students has narrowed a little. But there is still a significant gap – particularly pronounced with boys – and other data show the gap to be much wider at our most prestigious universities in both applications and entry.

“It is vital that schools continue to improve exam performance for disadvantaged pupils and that outreach work and access programmes, including summer schools, continue to engage with those from less privileged backgrounds from an early stage.”

Read the full article here. The Press Association story quoting the Trust was used by 68 other news websites.