Access increased

The proportion of state-school educated pupils going to university has reached its highest level since records began.

Some 89.3 per cent of university entrants came from state schools in 2012-13, according to data released today by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Some 32.3 per cent came from the lower social classes, the highest level recorded since the performance indicators were introduced 15 years ago.

Meanwhile drop-out rates have fallen to their lowest recorded levels. Just 5.7 per cent of UK-domiciled full-time first degree students failed to return to their studies after the end of their first year.