29th October 2012 9:00
By Blue Tutors
A new report by Alan Milburn on social mobility concludes that universities should give students from poor backgrounds guaranteed interviews and lower offers. The report calls for universities to redouble their efforts to ensure that those with potential are admitted, regardless of background.
Milburn warned that too much money is spent by universities on bursaries and fee wavers, and not enough on tackling the underlying problems. The report suggests that statistical targets be employed to ensure widening participation and that outreach programmes have the maximum social impact.
Under the proposals students from poorer backgrounds and underperforming schools would be given lower offers of entry to university. Students who cannot meet minimum requirements should be given the chance to study for a foundation degree which would allow them to go on and study for the degree if they pass.