Number of state school pupils accepted at Cambridge University increases by five per cent despite £9,000 a year tuition fees

  • The number of ethnic minorities offered places increased by 16 per cent
  • Private school entrants still account for 36.7 per cent of the intake

By Tara Brady

PUBLISHED: 02:04 EST, 23 May 2013 | UPDATED: 02:05 EST, 23 May 2013

The number of state school students being accepted to Cambridge University has increased by five per cent. 

Cambridge announced the proportion of state-educated students has risen to 63.3 per cent despite applicants facing the maximum tuition fees of £9,000-a-year.

The university also announced the proportion of successful applicants from ethnic minorities has also increased to 16 per cent.

Cambridge announced the proportion of state-educated students has risen despite applicants facing the maximum tuition fees of £9,000-a-year

Cambridge announced the proportion of state-educated students has risen despite applicants facing the maximum tuition fees of £9,000-a-year

However, private school entrants still account for 36.7 per cent of the university’s undergraduate intake.

The ratio of two state school pupils to every public school pupil attending the university is still disproportionate compared with the number of secondary school pupils in the country as a whole.

Across Britain 88.9 per cent of university starters are from state-funded schools, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

 

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The statistics showing a public school leaning does still remain in place at Cambridge.

The university yesterday said its rising state school intake was achieved despite 97.4 per cent of successful applicants achieving no less than A*AA.

The rise comes after university invested £2.7m on outreach initiatives across the UK designed to identify and engage with students from under-represented groups.

Dr Mike Sewell, director of admissions for the Cambridge Colleges, said: 'The collegiate University works hard to reach talented and ambitious students throughout the UK, talk with them about why they should consider Cambridge, and tackle the barriers that might put them off applying.

Private school entrants at Cambridge University still account for 36.7 per cent of undergraduate intake

Private school entrants at Cambridge University still account for 36.7 per cent of undergraduate intake

'Our undergraduates enjoy teaching focused on the individual student, outstanding facilities, a relatively low cost of living, and a generous bursary scheme available to all who need it.

'Our commitment to fair admissions makes this available to students from all backgrounds, who succeed in their application because they have demonstrated academic excellence.

'AS results enable fair and transparent admissions by allowing universities such as Cambridge to make assessments based on a student’s most recent academic attainment.'

The total number of applications is up two per cent to 15,701 with the total number of acceptances up five per cent to 3,437.

But the male population of students still outweigh female applicants by eight per cent.

These statistics refer to applicants making an application in October 2011, either for entry in October 2012 or deferred entry in October 2013.

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Apart from all the obvious wealth, better schooling and environmental disadvantages, bright state school pupils are further disadvantaged because their schools are not as well practised at the process of applying to Oxbridge as private schools and perhaps don't coach them in interview technique and aptitude testing. Applicants should also consider less competitive courses. Looking at the figures provided by Cambridge it seems young people have a better chance of gaining a place there than they do of getting a job, so it's definitely worth applying. Government grants and college bursaries for poor students are generous but unfair. E.g. A student from a poor family may have half her fees paid and refuse the maintenance loan due to getting the government grant. At the end of her three year degree she will owe £13,500 compared to a student from a normal income family who will owe around £40,000. Yet the poor student may go on to earn more money than the regular student.

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Students who were born without a golden spoon in their mouths are at a disadvantage even before going to any university. I speak from personal experience as I like many others financed my Degree through a student loan, which was around 2000 at the start of each term - which was great. However the 4000ish On-Campus Accomodation is CHEAPER if it's payed off in one lump sum at the start of the year, which can't be done if you've got a student loan and no additional financial backing, and consequently it has to be payed off per term as the student loans come though. It is therefore MORE expensive to go to University if you're not from a wealthy Family - So much for equal Access opportunities.

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Cambdridgemummy, here's hoping my hardworking, studious, state educated, lovely son (who achieved 3A* ) doesn't come into contact at Cambridge with your child. If they have been led to believe, by you, that they are more entitled to be there because of their parents wealth and he's only there because of quotas , their attitude might have a bad influence on him!

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My daughter has won a place at Cambridge to do a Masters Degree. Sadly she won't be able to accept due to not having the £17,000 required to be in her bank account by this July (as demanded by the university). My daughter is devastated, She has worked extremely hard, but because she isn't from a wealthy family, she cannot attend Cambridge. I feel this article and the comments from Dr Mike Sewell very misleading, portraying a prestigious education for all, when i fact this is not the case!

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Having a son applying for uni this year, I can tell you that about 90% of all university courses are charging the full £9k. This is nothing out of the ordinary.

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However, how many are on bursaries paid for the Universities? Where does the money come from to pay for the Bursaries? No doubt that it will be said that it is University money? Is it not the case that money that is not spent to reduce the fees for all students is effectively a tax on the ones that do not benefit? - Jack, Manchester, United Kingdom, 23/5/2013 17:38 My daughters who are at Cambridge get their bursaries paid for by alumni eg my daughter who is studying engineering receives a bursary paid for by a professor at MIT. He wanted his money to fund a female engineering student. She sends him a letter every year thanking him and telling him what she has done. Fund raising by her college (again funded by alumni) pay for a 30% reduction in rent and book grants. My other daughter ( a medic) receives a bursary from the Newton Trust, which is made up by monies provided by alumni.

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Good for Oxford - so long as everyone is there on merit and NOT some discriminatory, equality-socio-engineered programme dreamed up in the bowels of Harperson's brains.

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Why so happy,you won't be getting paid anyway....

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Cambridge has never had a problem with state school kids of the right ability. My mate's brother went there from a council estate home and grammar school education, my son went there from a very ordinary comprehensive. The problem has been that schools do not encourage kids to apply, some actively discourage, and in the past state schools were not prepared to help with entrance exams where they were required. Intelligence and the ability to work the way Cambridge wants-which is very hard and very intensively- is what they look for, not public school education nor money.

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Cambridge offers places to people who can fit in and benefit from an education there. I was offered a place there in 1972. I was also offered a place at Harvard, Oxford, Manchester, Cardif and several other places around the world Despite 13 o levels and 6 A levels I didpect that what interested them was my world record breaking archery scores. To everybody's dissapointment I studied at the Poly of North London, but I cherish my acceptance letters which prove that sporting prowess is a good recomendation even for a grammar school boy.

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