In 2019-20 the University of Oxford had 9.1 advantaged students for every 1 disadvantaged student as measured by TUNDRA Q5:Q1.
In only two years, by 2021-22, this had improved to 5.5 advantaged students to every 1 disadvantaged student.
And the picture is similar for the University of Durham who since 2018-19 have reduced this same ratio from 7.3 advantaged students for every 1 disadvantaged student, to 3.6:1.
This is very good progress over a short space of time for universities where access inequality has been entrenched for hundreds of years.
It shows that with provider commitment, collaboration and strong regulation, inequality can be meaningfully addressed.
It’s just a shame good news stories like this don’t often make the national press – or when they do, that they are framed as bad news.
