Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (1 February) commented on the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) performance indicators relating to widening participation.

Alan Palmer, Head of Policy and Research at MillionPlus, said:

“The news that the proportion of state school students and students from more disadvantaged backgrounds attending UK universities have increased, albeit modestly, is welcome and encouraging. However, it should not mask the fact that mature student numbers continue to decline, dropping 6% on the previous cycle, or that the picture among part-time students is even worse. A new approach is urgently required if these damaging trends are to be reversed.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. Modern universities: key facts 2017
3. The HESA data can be found in full here
4. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk