UK: 4,500 bright teenagers 'missing out on university'

At least 4,500 bright teenagers from comprehensive schools are missing out on places at top universities after being let down at school, according to a government-backed study, reports Graeme Paton for The Telegraph. They fail to apply for sought-after courses despite gaining a string of good A-levels. Researchers said pupils were deterred by poor career advice and an attitude that leading institutions were "not for the likes of us".

Teenagers from private schools are twice as likely to apply for top universities than those from state comprehensives and five times more likely than students from further education colleges. The findings - in a joint study by the Sutton Trust charity and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - came a week before the publication of A-level results.

Analysts predict an unprecedented squeeze on university places this year as record numbers of teenagers and mature students apply to higher education in the recession. It will add to the growing controversy surrounding access to higher education.
Full report on The Telegraph site