Industry News
Private sector dominates Oxford places
Posted on 13th December 2007
The number of Oxford University candidates from private schools grew this year, despite an increase in campaigns and funding aimed at encouraging more state school pupils to apply, it has been reported.
Figures reveal that nearly 45 per cent of undergraduates beginning at the prestigious university in September are from private schools, amid a fall in numbers from comprehensives, the Daily Telegraph reports.
The university stated that this year there had been "unprecedented competition" for a place on courses, with applications from 13,639 pupils applying - an increase of more than eight per cent on the previous year.
Last month, figures released by the Independent Schools Council showed two-thirds of its members' students who applied to the country's top 20 universities had been accepted.
The Independent warned that accusations of a bias towards private schools could potentially be damaging as they could put state school pupils off applying for places.
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