The LSE, once again, remains the top university for increased access of disadvantaged students in the UK.
Study conducted
Reform’s study charts the average proportional increase in the disadvantaged students annually comparing that of the 2012-2013 academic year to 2016-2017. The study ranks 29 ‘elite’ universities including the likes of UCL, Oxford, Cambridge and King’s College London.
Results
London universities overall have previously and continue to show mixed results including the likes of UCL coming in last in the rankings. However, LSE maintains first spot.
The increase in the proportion of disadvantaged students was 0.675% from 2012-13 to 2016-17. Even though the university came out on top, it fell from its previous increase of 1.13% between 2011-2012 to 2015-2016.
Other key results for LSE include:
- A 3.4% improvement against its benchmark
- 2016-17: 68.4% of entry level, full-time undergraduates were from state schools
- 2016-2017: £800,000 was spent on increasing access (up from £200,000 from 2015-2016).
Strategies in place
LSE have various practices in place in order to encourage the incorporation of disadvantaged students. Contextualised admissions, since 2014, consider relevant factors including whether or not applicants reside in low income neighbourhoods, attend low performing GCSE/A-Level schools, have experienced disrupted education, certain medical issues and so forth. These factors are considered in providing offers allow for a focus on the individual themselves rather than their surrounding environments.
A link to the full report can be found here: https://reform.uk/research/gaining-access-increasing-participation-disadvantaged-students-elite-universities
