University bias against private schools ‘a myth’
The claim that universities are prejudiced against fee-paying schools is a myth, according to new figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC).
Research by the council finds that far from being discriminated against, students from independent schools win a disproportionate number of places at top universities compared to those from state schools.
The study, the largest ever compiled by the ISC, comes a day before this year’s A-level results are published. They are expected to show the pass rate has increased once again to 97 per cent, up from 96 per cent last year.
Independent schools have in recent years complained that as universities come under pressure to improve the diversity of students they accept, their pupils miss out.
But the ISC research suggests tutors treat candidates fairly, concluding: “It is likely that rejections which may have seemed discriminatory to parents and schools have, in fact, been due to a large rise in suitably qualified applicants.”
