More poorer students could receive no university offers as demand grows – Ucas

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Generally speaking, offer rates will likely decline, but our projections indicate that it could be disadvantaged students that miss out – with a greater proportion of these students getting one or less offers, and a smaller proportion receiving three or more.” Mr Jordan added: “A change in offer-making strategies by university and colleges, such as the increased use of contextual information or more targeted offer making to certain cohorts, could reverse some of the risks we observe.” Lower entry requirements for disadvantaged students may also help this cohort, he said. With timely collective action we can maintain significant progress in widening access through efforts including targeted offer-making strategies, minimum entry requirements for underrepresented cohorts and outreach work Clare Marchant, chief executive of Ucas Competition for places in higher education is likely to intensify as more students seek to secure university courses, Ucas has said previously. The projected growth in demand is being driven by a rise in the number of young people in the UK turning 18 in the years to come, as well as a rise in the number of international students applying to UK universities Clare Marchant, Ucas chief executive, said: “Widening access is a key priority for Ucas and while we have seen huge strides in participation across UK higher education, our national debate has brought into sharp focus the challenges surrounding growth of competition and availability of options to students. “The Journey to a Million does present new opportunities however, and with timely collective action we can maintain significant progress in widening access through efforts including targeted offer-making strategies, minimum entry requirements for underrepresented cohorts and outreach work.” A Universities UK spokesperson said: “Universities are committed to narrowing equality gaps further, even as demand is expected to grow in the coming years.