Admissions reforms squeeze middle-ranked universities

Many middle-ranking universities in the UK have suffered a drop in new student numbers as a result of controversial ‘market-based’ government reforms to admissions, an Independent survey reveals, writes Richard Garner for The Independent.

A cut in student numbers at the likes of Oxford Brookes and Brunel comes as several of the UK's elite universities exploit reforms allowing them to expand to take more of the best pupils – defined as those who score a minimum of AAB at A-level.

Hull University said its intake would be 500 fewer this year – and acknowledged that interest in snapping up places through the clearing system had not been as high as in 2011. Academics believe higher education could be witnessing the beginnings of a long-term trend in declining numbers for non-elite universities, as the country's best institutions expand.
Full report on The Independent site