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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| More state pupils in universities | More state pupils in universities |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| UK universities took a slightly higher proportion of students from state schools last year, figures show. | UK universities took a slightly higher proportion of students from state schools last year, figures show. |
| The rate was 87.4% of young undergraduates in 2005-06, up from 86.7% the year before. | The rate was 87.4% of young undergraduates in 2005-06, up from 86.7% the year before. |
| Other indicators of widening participation were also showing improvements, the Higher Education Funding Council for England said. | Other indicators of widening participation were also showing improvements, the Higher Education Funding Council for England said. |
| The dropout rate after the first year of study was down from 7.7% to 7.2% overall though with wide variations. | The dropout rate after the first year of study was down from 7.7% to 7.2% overall though with wide variations. |
| Two Scottish institutions had the worst records: 25.7% at Bell College and 21.2% at the University of Paisley. | Two Scottish institutions had the worst records: 25.7% at Bell College and 21.2% at the University of Paisley. |
| At the other end of the scale, the dropout rate was just 1% at St George's Hospital Medical School and 1.4% at Oxford. | At the other end of the scale, the dropout rate was just 1% at St George's Hospital Medical School and 1.4% at Oxford. |
| Cambridge's figure was not published for technical reasons but a spokeswoman said it was also "incredibly low". | Cambridge's figure was not published for technical reasons but a spokeswoman said it was also "incredibly low". |
| See a table of state school participation See a table showing dropout rates | See a table of state school participation See a table showing dropout rates |
| The annual performance indicators, as they are known, are now published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency and are appearing earlier this year than usual. | The annual performance indicators, as they are known, are now published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency and are appearing earlier this year than usual. |
| State schools | State schools |
| The lowest proportions of state school entrants were in three specialist institutions: the Royal Academy of Music (47.7%), Courtauld Institute of Art (42.9%) and the Royal Agricultural College (42.8%). | The lowest proportions of state school entrants were in three specialist institutions: the Royal Academy of Music (47.7%), Courtauld Institute of Art (42.9%) and the Royal Agricultural College (42.8%). |
| Among mainstream universities, Oxford had the lowest rate - 53.7% - with Cambridge next on 57.9%. | Among mainstream universities, Oxford had the lowest rate - 53.7% - with Cambridge next on 57.9%. |
| At four relatively small institutions everyone was from a state school: Wimbledon School of Art, UHI Millennium Institute, St Mary's University College, Twickenham and Stranmillis University College. | At four relatively small institutions everyone was from a state school: Wimbledon School of Art, UHI Millennium Institute, St Mary's University College, Twickenham and Stranmillis University College. |
| Among the bigger universities Ulster, and Queen's in Belfast, had very high state school entries - 99.9% and 99.5%. | Among the bigger universities Ulster, and Queen's in Belfast, had very high state school entries - 99.9% and 99.5%. |
| Bedfordshire (formerly Luton) and Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln, both had 99.6%. | Bedfordshire (formerly Luton) and Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln, both had 99.6%. |
| The next highest ranked in this respect among the elite Russell Group, after Queen's, was Liverpool, on 86.4%. | The next highest ranked in this respect among the elite Russell Group, after Queen's, was Liverpool, on 86.4%. |
| Trends | Trends |
| Looked at over more than one year, the most significant trend is in participation by mature students - those aged over 21 - from the sort of neighbourhoods with no strong tradition of people going into higher education. | Looked at over more than one year, the most significant trend is in participation by mature students - those aged over 21 - from the sort of neighbourhoods with no strong tradition of people going into higher education. |
| This has gone from 13.8% in 2002-03 to 15.6%. | This has gone from 13.8% in 2002-03 to 15.6%. |
| In contrast, the participation of younger entrants from state schools in these areas was up this year to 87.4%, but that was little different to three years previously (87.2%). | In contrast, the participation of younger entrants from state schools in these areas was up this year to 87.4%, but that was little different to three years previously (87.2%). |
| The English funding council's chief executive, David Eastwood, said higher education was crucial in a knowledge-driven economy and it was vital to ensure that all who could benefit from it had a chance to do so. | The English funding council's chief executive, David Eastwood, said higher education was crucial in a knowledge-driven economy and it was vital to ensure that all who could benefit from it had a chance to do so. |
| Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said: "The figures are welcome confirmation that we're on the right track, but we must maintain our efforts." | Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said: "The figures are welcome confirmation that we're on the right track, but we must maintain our efforts." |
| A spokesman for vice-chancellors' group Universities UK said the improvements were pleasing, but added: "Attracting students into higher education is not enough - we need to support them to a successful conclusion of their studies." | A spokesman for vice-chancellors' group Universities UK said the improvements were pleasing, but added: "Attracting students into higher education is not enough - we need to support them to a successful conclusion of their studies." |
| The general secretary of the University and College Union, Sally Hunt, said the rise in the number of students from "non-traditional" backgrounds had been only minimal. | The general secretary of the University and College Union, Sally Hunt, said the rise in the number of students from "non-traditional" backgrounds had been only minimal. |
| "We are still some way from a system where everyone with potential can realise it." | "We are still some way from a system where everyone with potential can realise it." |
| If the government were serious about really opening up higher education it needed to remove more of the financial barriers and ensure staff and universities were properly funded. | If the government were serious about really opening up higher education it needed to remove more of the financial barriers and ensure staff and universities were properly funded. |
| By the end of June, 494,842 people had applied to start full-time undergraduate courses in 2007, up 5.3% on the same point last year. | |
| This is consistent with the two previous snapshots released by Ucas which showed increases of 6.4% (February) and 5.2% (April). | |
| People are still applying now, with applications going into Clearing. |