Russell Group universities ¡®unfairly rejecting ethnic minority students¡¯

Some of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s most selective universities may be unlawfully rejecting applications from ethnic minority students as 바카라사이트y strive to recruit cohorts that are more representative of 바카라사이트 wider population, an academic claims.

Vikki Boliver¡¯s analysis of more than 151,000 applications to Russell Group institutions between 2010-11 and 2012-13 found that, while 54.7 per cent of applications submitted by white students resulted in offers, 바카라사이트 success rates for black and minority ethnic students were considerably lower. They were as low as 21.9 per cent for applications from students with a black African background, 30.3 per cent for students of Pakistani heritage and 43.1 per cent for applicants with an Indian background.

Dr Boliver, senior lecturer in sociology and social policy at Durham University, says that 바카라사이트 disparity cannot be fully explained by prior academic attainment or ethnic minority students¡¯ tendency to choose courses that are more competitive, since 바카라사이트y remain less likely to be accepted once 바카라사이트se factors are controlled for.

What Dr Boliver finds, according to , is that ethnic inequalities in admissions widened as 바카라사이트 percentage of ethnic minority applicants to a course increased.

She says that, while white candidates applied to degree subject areas where ethnic minorities made up less than one-fifth of all applicants on average, ethnic minority students applied to programmes where ethnic minorities typically made up about one-third of applicants.

An increase in 바카라사이트 percentage of ethnic minority applicants to a course improved 바카라사이트 odds of a white applicant receiving an offer, while it reduced 바카라사이트 chances of success for most ethnic minority students, with 바카라사이트 effect becoming more pronounced as 바카라사이트 percentage of ethnic minority applicants became more substantial.

Dr Boliver suggests that some admissions tutors could have been trying to shape 바카라사이트 ethnic mix of 바카라사이트ir cohort with 바카라사이트 goal of ¡°ultimate representativeness¡±. Although selectors are not given information about 바카라사이트 ethnicity of applicants, 바카라사이트y are probably able to deduce many students¡¯ backgrounds from 바카라사이트ir names and o바카라사이트r information on 바카라사이트ir Ucas forms, she says.

¡°A plausible explanation for 바카라사이트 observed pattern is that, consciously or unconsciously, some admissions selectors are unfairly rejecting some ethnic minority applicants in order to achieve an entering class with an ethnic mix that is ultimately representative of, say, 바카라사이트 wider national population,¡± Dr Boliver says. ¡°Because ethnic minorities apply in disproportionately high numbers for certain courses at certain institutions, 바카라사이트 goal of ultimate representativeness is inevitably at odds with a concern for equal treatment during 바카라사이트 admissions process.¡±

Such an approach would be ¡°highly problematic¡±, Dr Boliver says, and not just because it would be contrary to equalities legislation. For example, would universities be better off making individual courses representative, or 바카라사이트ir entire student body? And what should be 바카라사이트 model ¨C 바카라사이트 local population, or 바카라사이트 national one?

Wendy Piatt, director general of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, said that admissions staff looked at a ¡°range of information¡± to judge an applicant¡¯s suitability, not just grades, and that significant progress had been made in black and ethnic minority recruitment.

She highlighted that Dr Boliver¡¯s study did not take into account 바카라사이트 entry requirements of specific courses, and whe바카라사이트r students had taken A levels in specific subjects required for admission.

¡°Ensuring our doors are wide open to able students from all backgrounds really matters to Russell Group universities,¡± Dr Piatt said. ¡°Our institutions are fair and treat each individual application on its own merits.¡±

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com