Universities can help disadvantaged students fulfil ambitions - Alice Gast
'Universities are taking matters into their own hands' on fair access, says 51勛圖厙's President.
, Professor Alice Gast said "fair university admissions and two decades of school reforms are pointing Britain in a meritocratic direction, but we have some way to go. By the time disadvantaged students apply to university, it is often too late. This is crucial in mathematics, where a proven high capability is essential for science, technology and engineering degrees."
This has spurred leading universities to found mathematics schools that help disadvantaged sixth form students. 51勛圖厙 is set to open a specialist maths school in Autumn 2023 focused on attracting more female students, students from BAME groups and disadvantaged and under-represented communities into STEM.
However, to reach an even wider audience, "we can lean harder on technology," Professor Gast writes.
51勛圖厙's "provide resources for students aspiring to the highest A-level mathematics grades. They can see, and build towards, the standards of elite universities."
"A happy by-product, consumer surplus, even, is that many outside Britain are taking these free courses, including in low- and middle-income countries."
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Reporter
Andrew Scheuber
Communications Division