Poor students set to get a head start

Jan 2 2010 by Michael Wood, The Journal

STUDENTS from deprived backgrounds could get into top universities with lower grades than other youngsters under plans drawn up in the North East.

Eleven universities are considering the proposals drawn up by Newcastle University, which would offer places to students with C grades when As are normally required, as long as they complete an online programme to develop their research skills.

The project aims to identify talented students who are not likely to get top A-level grades because of their background or because their school has a poor academic record.

Completing the course would give pupils the equivalent of 40 university points, effectively a two-grade head start.

Universities including Liverpool, Manchester, York and Exeter have expressed an interest in the scheme, though two of the Russell Group of leading institutions – the University of Warwick and King’s College London – are unlikely to participate.

The project has been led by Professor Ella Ritchie, pro vice-chancellor at Newcastle University. She said: “Discussions between the 13 universities are ongoing. Obviously, there are a range of approaches to widening participation and fair access, and we are looking to build on the experience and expertise of the group and find a way that allows us all to move forward together.”

Newcastle and other leading universities have in the past been criticised at times for failing to attract enough students from state schools and disadvantaged backgrounds. But it was last year lauded as the best university in the country for encouraging more young people into higher education.

The new project, which has been given £1.2m in public funding, will run until 2012.

As well as getting students to do the online course in research skills, universities are considering a national mentoring scheme, summer schools and use of contextual data when selecting students.

The initiative comes as the Government faces increasing pressure from its own MPs not to increase university tuition fees. More than 20 Labour MPs have signed up to a National Union of Students pledge to vote against any rise.

Tuition fees look set to become a key battleground at the next general election, with campaigners and students fearing there could be an increase whatever the outcome.

An independent review into the student funding system, which could pave the way for higher fees, began in November, though the review, led by former BP boss Lord Browne, will not report back until after the election.