The Independent Schools Council is a politically independent, not-for-profit organisation representing 1,270 independent schools educating more than 500,000 children. It exists to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education, developing talent at all levels of ability and from all backgrounds.

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No bias against independent school pupils by leading universities

17 August 2005

New ISC research conclusively disproves myth of discrimination.

The Independent Schools Council today releases the findings of the largest-ever survey of applications to universities by pupils from independent schools. The survey looked at applications to ten of the most popular courses at 30 leading universities - 300 courses in all, involving 20,000 individual applications from independent school pupils. It has found no discrimination by universities against independent sector applicants. Indeed, in 60 out of the 300 courses surveyed, 98% or more of independent school applicants were offered a place. This is particularly true of courses in mathematics, sciences and languages, where the decline in maintained sector applications is a matter of public concern.

The ISC University Survey is an expanded and updated version of research that has been conducted by the HMC/GSA sub-committee of university offers and rejection rates since 2002. The Survey was sent to 560 independent schools, more than two-thirds of whom responded. This represents a quarter of all the applications from the independent sector to the surveyed universities.

Jonathan Shephard, ISC General Secretary commented: "Universities depend for their success on recruiting the best candidates, regardless of means and regardless of social background. We fully support moves by universities to expand the pool of suitably qualified applicants from the maintained sector, and are eager to help by sharing teaching materials and by remote tuition. At the end of the day, selection has to be on merit, and we are glad that universities are holding fast to this important academic principle. We need to remember that more than 30% of pupils in ISC schools receive help with fees, and many of them are far less well-off than some of their maintained school contemporaries."

Cynthia Hall, Vice-President of the Girls' Schools Association and Joint-Chair of the HMC/GSA Universities Sub-Committee, commented: "This survey is timely evidence that the most popular universities are still selecting candidates on merit regardless of socio-economic or school background. The figures show no evidence of discrimination against independent school candidates either in the percentage of applicants offered places or in the grades required. Applications to university have increased, so competition is hotter for the most popular courses whichever sector students come from. I am delighted that this survey shows the even-handedness of universities in their selection procedures."