High achievers wooed by prestige in university choice

High achievers who apply to the most selective universities tend to base their decisions on social indications of prestige and academic excellence, according to a report by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the social mobility charity Sutton Trust.

In contrast, the survey of 13,457 high achievers—with at least three B grade A-levels—found that those who did not apply to the most selective institutions based their decisions on league tables, academic reputation and the “idea of challenging themselves”.