Final UCAS figures for 2009 entry published today (21 January 2010) show an 8.4% rise in accepted applicants from the most disadvantaged areas.
Commenting on the figures, Director of Fair Access to Higher Education, Sir Martin Harris, said: “These figures are excellent news. They confirm that, despite unprecedented demand for places and fears that this might affect access, the numbers and share of accepted applicants from the most disadvantaged areas have increased.
“We very much look forward to the forthcoming HEFCE report ‘Trends in young participation in higher education’ to see how these increases have affected the higher education participation rates of young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
“However, despite this success, we cannot be complacent. Demand for places is likely to be even stronger in 2010, so it remains important for universities and colleges to ensure that applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds are not disproportionately affected by this increased competition.”
ends
Notes to editors
1. The Office for Fair Access (OFFA) is an independent, non departmental public body established under the Higher Education Act 2004 to help promote and safeguard fair access to higher education. Our main remit is to regulate the charging of higher tuition fees by English universities and colleges offering higher education courses.
2. For further information, please contact Zita Adamson, Communications Manager, on 0117 931 7272 or email press@offa.org.uk.