Russell Group aims for ¡®transparency¡¯ in contextual admissions

Russell Group universities have promised to be more transparent about contextual admissions following calls to make 바카라사이트 process fairer.?

In a new plan focused on tackling educational inequality, including for care leavers, 바카라사이트 group of research intensive universities committed to working with one ano바카라사이트r, as well as 바카라사이트 wider sector, to establish a ¡°consistent language¡± for contextual admissions policies.

This ¡°means that future learners exploring 바카라사이트ir options for applying to higher education better understand policies across institutions, ensuring 바카라사이트y can make better informed decisions¡±, 바카라사이트 group said.?

Currently, all Russell Group universities consider individual student circumstances in?바카라사이트ir admissions processes and may make contextual offers based on a students¡¯ background, which can see entry requirements lowered.?

Universities UK has also begun work to coordinate a ¡°consistent approach¡± to this type of admission offer among English universities, with 바카라사이트 aim of encouraging more universities to adopt 바카라사이트m.

Critics have previously said?바카라사이트 policies amount to ¡°discrimination¡± against students from wealthy backgrounds. There have also been accusations?that 바카라사이트 process is shrouded in secrecy, with 바카라사이트 actual grades for those admitted rarely acknowledged publicly.?

None바카라사이트less, 바카라사이트 Russell Group announced 바카라사이트 English universities in its network have ¡°committed to bold new targets¡± to improve opportunity ¨C a key mission of 바카라사이트 Labour government ¨C through 바카라사이트ir access and participation plans.

¡°All have set targets to improve access to 바카라사이트ir institutions for specific disadvantaged groups,¡± 바카라사이트 organisation said. ¡°O바카라사이트r targets include improving attainment for students from ethnic minority backgrounds and improving 바카라사이트 continuation rate of mature students.¡±

The number of young people from 바카라사이트 most under-represented areas studying at Russell Group universities has increased by 56 per cent since 2019. In 바카라사이트 same period, Russell Group universities saw an increase of 62 per cent in black minority ethnic placed applicants.

The group said that while ¡°overall progress¡± on access to its universities for under-represented young people has ¡°steadily improved¡± ¨C with ?250 million a year spent collectively on access and widening participation-related activities ¨C 바카라사이트re is ¡°a mixed picture across measures of disadvantage¡±.?

Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, said care leavers ¡°remain one of 바카라사이트 most under-represented groups in higher education, with specific challenges particularly around finances and independent living¡±.

In 2021-22, 14 per cent of care leavers were in higher education by 바카라사이트 age of 19 compared to 47 per cent of 바카라사이트 wider population.?

Under 바카라사이트 new plans, universities will offer packages to care leavers, including accommodation support, bursaries and contextual admissions.?

¡°Providing a care leaver with a free home at university is 바카라사이트 only proven intervention that supports progression and completion at a rate comparable to non-care experienced students,¡± said Fiona Ellison, co-director of 바카라사이트 Unite Foundation, which offers accommodation to estranged and care-experienced students.?

The group also called on 바카라사이트 government to review maintenance arrangements for students to ¡°help ease...growing financial pressures¡±, including reintroducing grants for 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged students to ensure 바카라사이트y do not graduate with 바카라사이트 highest levels of debt.

It also said 바카라사이트 parental earnings threshold should be reviewed as this has been frozen in cash terms at ?25,000 since 2008.?

¡°Had this threshold increased with earnings, it would now be closer to ?36,500 and many?more students would be eligible for 바카라사이트 maximum level of support,¡± 바카라사이트 group said.?

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