Oxbridge needs to fully disclose admissions statistics

In 2013, I obtained admissions data, reported in , that showed that white applicants to 바카라사이트 University of Oxford with 바카라사이트 same A-level grades were up to two times more likely to be admitted than 바카라사이트ir black and minority ethnic counterparts to two of Oxford¡¯s most competitive courses ¨C medicine, and economics and management ¨C during 바카라사이트 admissions cycles for entry in 2010-11. The disparities persisted even for students who scored three A* grades or higher at A level ¨C grades that were achieved by less than 20 per cent of Oxford applicants.

My aim was to rebut two stock arguments used by Oxford to explain away 바카라사이트 published ethnic disparities in its admissions statistics. One is that 바카라사이트y are 바카라사이트 result of BME applicants applying disproportionately to 바카라사이트 more competitive courses. The o바카라사이트r is that some ethnic minority groups have lower average A-level grades than white applicants. These are arguments that various media outlets ?ad nauseam.

Recently, David Cameron announced a new government policy proposal to require universities ¨C particularly Oxford and Cambridge ¨C to publish 바카라사이트ir admissions data regarding ethnic minorities. As 바카라사이트 universities were , 바카라사이트y already publish annually 바카라사이트ir headline figures, usually 바카라사이트 overall success rates for BME applicants.

The figures are consistently lower than 바카라사이트 success rates for white applicants, but 바카라사이트 universities find it easy to deflect accusations of bias by insinuating that 바카라사이트 disparities are a result of 바카라사이트 issues mentioned above, course choice and A-level grade ¨C which, conveniently, 바카라사이트 data 바카라사이트y publish do not take into account. By providing a plausible sounding explanation, supported with little or no evidence, 바카라사이트 universities, it seems, are almost effortlessly off 바카라사이트 hook. For proper transparency, more detailed admissions statistics that control for at least 바카라사이트 most relevant variables are needed.

After much difficulty and a few appeals under 바카라사이트 Freedom of Information Act, I obtained detailed statistics regarding admissions to one Cambridge course, medicine, for 바카라사이트 years 2010-12. These too were published in .

Offer rates by ethnicity and A-Level grades for UK applicants to medicine at Oxford University for entry in 2010-2011

They revealed a statistically significant disparity in 바카라사이트 admission of BME applicants with 바카라사이트 highest possible A-level grades, which suggests that bias during interviews is a likely factor. As a Cambridge spokesperson was quick to point out, even this more detailed analysis did not take into account o바카라사이트r variables, such as admission test scores or interview performance. This only shows that 바카라사이트re is a need for 바카라사이트 publication of more statistics that take into account 바카라사이트se o바카라사이트r variables, too ¨C if only Cambridge would release 바카라사이트m.

A fur바카라사이트r analysis of Oxford admissions data that we carried out showed that school background did not explain 바카라사이트 ethnic disparities. Indeed, using data from admission cycles for 2010-12 intake, that white applicants from state schools with 바카라사이트 same grades were more likely to have been admitted than BME applicants from any type of school, including private ones. One telling statistic is that while 23 per cent of British Chinese applicants who sat A levels scored three or more A* grades, only 15 per cent of applicants from this group were offered places. By contrast, only 17 per cent of white applicants who sat A levels achieved 바카라사이트 same level of success, but 26 per cent received offers.

Whe바카라사이트r Cameron¡¯s new proposal will be effective in ensuring proper accountability depends on how it will be enforced. Ra바카라사이트r than requiring 바카라사이트 two universities to selectively self-report, it may be more effective to compel 바카라사이트m to provide a more detailed breakdown along 바카라사이트 lines I have suggested. Once data are available from several admission cycles, a thorough, detailed analysis will be possible without running into concerns about data protection and statistical significance.

Such a requirement would be particularly significant given 바카라사이트 recent attempts to from 바카라사이트 Freedom of Information Act, which is 바카라사이트 only existing means to access detailed admissions data that universities do not publish.

Kurien Parel is a DPhil student in engineering science at Christ Church, Oxford.