Scottish universities agree to measures to widen access

Herald Scotland 10 September 2016

All Scottish universities have agreed to accept poorer students with lower exam grades in a bid to boost the number of working-class undergraduates, writes Andrew Denholm for the Herald Scotland.

The move follows the final report of the Commission on Widening Access which recommended the introduction of so-called “adjusted offers” as a vital step towards getting more pupils from disadvantaged areas into higher education.

The policy is controversial because a consequence is that it will displace middle-class students with higher grades unless the Scottish government funds an expansion of higher education. Widening access is a key priority of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, but recent figures have shown progress towards national targets has been painfully slow.
Full report on the Herald Scotland site

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