Admissions survey slammed by University
The university has blasted the results of a recent survey that suggested the application process favours those from the independent school sector.
The study, performed by London's Evening Standard newspaper, showed that the proportion of successful candidates applying from independent schools increased to 47% this year compared to 42.9% a year ago. Conversely, the number of state-educated students receiving the offer of a place has remained virtually unchanged, leading to claims that Oxford and Cambridge are "deliberately" defying government targets.
A university spokeswoman told The Oxford Student: "Our admissions policy is based solely on academic criteria. We have no quotas for selection from different school types. It is inevitable that the figures will vary slightly from year to year."
She added: "Applications for places reflect reasonably well the proportion applying from each type of institution. Our Widening Participation unit works hard to encourage more people from state schools to apply to the university, with an average of one access event for every working day of the year."
Oxford Access Scheme co-ordinator, David Johnson, told The Oxford Student that he is disappointed by the results of the survey, and recommends that admissions procedures should be "continually reviewed in the light of recent trends."
He added: "The challenge is for all to recognise that the attainment of certain students cannot be conventionally measured due to the obstacles they have faced during their education. This is a challenge that other universities appear to have taken up."
Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Chris Patten, has maintained that the government's goalposts are "unrealistic and unfair", and has previously suggested that government policy was in danger of pushing universities "in the direction of arguing to go private."
Patten has long argued for the necessity of improving the condition of our comprehensives prior to the imposition of 'bureaucratic' targets, and places the responsibility for any deficiencies solely with the government. The university has aligned itself with Patten's comments, telling The Oxford Student that "the university are adamant that there will be no social engineering."
The concerns about Oxford's supposed preference for "independence" have not been voiced by the schools participating in the survey.
The results of the survey are mixed, with five out of thirteen private schools saw an increase in Oxbridge admissions, three witnessed a decline at both, and the rest were variable. Just two out of thirteen state schools increased their Oxbridge admissions rate.
27th Jan 2005