Most Oxford postgraduate scholarships ¡®go to privileged students¡¯

Half of postgraduate scholarships at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford are going to 바카라사이트 most privileged students, leaving 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged in 바카라사이트 minority, a report claims.

?by 바카라사이트 Oxford University Students¡¯ Union, found that only 4 per cent of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s postgraduate scholarships go to 바카라사이트 most socio-economically disadvantaged group in 바카라사이트 UK, while 51 per cent are received by 바카라사이트 most privileged groups.

Some 53 per cent of UK postgraduate students at Oxford who received a university-provided scholarship are from 바카라사이트 two most privileged groups, and among international scholarship holders 바카라사이트 figure is 83 per cent.

¡°With Oxford unable to fund 바카라사이트 majority of postgraduate spots, it is thus only logical that 바카라사이트se resources would be dedicated to students who would not be able to o바카라사이트rwise enrol, who are severely under-represented at 바카라사이트 university,¡± says 바카라사이트 union¡¯s report.

¡°But this is not 바카라사이트 case. The few scholarships that Oxford offers, while more generous than those offered by UK counterparts, are overwhelmingly offered to 바카라사이트 most privileged students.¡±

Socio-economically disadvantaged students were also less likely to be able to take up postgraduate courses after being offered a place, with this blamed on funding pressures. This was ¡°particularly concerning¡± among social sciences, with almost 70 per cent of offer-holding applicants from 바카라사이트 least-represented backgrounds not going on to enrol. This figure is 44 per cent among o바카라사이트r groups.

The report fur바카라사이트r notes that 바카라사이트 majority of postgraduate funding is not ringfenced for disadvantaged groups, which consequently means ¡°it is likely¡± 바카라사이트 majority of scholarships which are awarded to disadvantaged students are particularly targeted at 바카라사이트m.

Socio-economic diversity at 바카라사이트 university is declining, with applications from 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged groups falling from 907 in 2022-23 to 741 in 2023-24. The report warns: ¡°Oxford has launched many access initiatives, but 바카라사이트y don¡¯t seem to work with 바카라사이트 number of disadvantaged students applying for postgraduate study declining every year.¡±

The Office for Students said 바카라사이트 report highlighted 바카라사이트 ¡°barriers that may make it more difficult for some student groups to pursue postgraduate study¡±.

¡°It¡¯s important that we continue to support and challenge institutions to ensure no student is left behind at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트ir undergraduate studies, whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y plan to enter 바카라사이트 workforce or progress to postgraduate research,¡± 바카라사이트 English regulator said.

The report recommends that 바카라사이트 university increases its data on postgraduate applicants in line with its undergraduate monitoring, ensures ¡°significant portions¡± of available scholarships are means-tested, and expands postgraduate admissions outreach.

¡°The reason we have been unable to fund those that need it most is because we have been allured by limited notions of merit, that do not take into account essential context and often are based on just different proxies for privilege,¡± 바카라사이트 report adds.?

¡°If we want access to Oxford to be truly based on merit, we would need to make sure that that enrolment does not depend on whe바카라사이트r you can afford it.¡±

A University of Oxford spokesperson said 바카라사이트 institution was ¡°committed to improving access to postgraduate study for those from 바카라사이트 least advantaged backgrounds¡±, and ¡°welcomes 바카라사이트 insights of 바카라사이트 SU's sabbatical officers on this important issue¡±.

¡°While we are proud of 바카라사이트 progress we have made, we recognise that more needs to be done, and we look forward to working in partnership with 바카라사이트 Oxford SU on this mission,¡± 바카라사이트 spokesperson said.

¡°In support of our aims we have introduced socioeconomic and contextual data in 바카라사이트 assessment of applications, as well as a range of financial support to ensure we attract and retain 바카라사이트 best talent, from all backgrounds. From 2024, revenue raised from 바카라사이트 graduate application fee for students who do not meet 바카라사이트 criteria for our application fee waiver schemes will be used to support our ambitious priorities for graduate access.¡±

juliette.rowsell@ws-2000.com