Fair access to higher education: where are we now and what’s next? 21st February 2017 David Barrett Assistant Director

Progress so far…

Entry rates: The number of 18 year olds from low participation neighbourhoods has increased dramatically and the gap is narrowing 73% 19.5% 11.2% Source: UCAS (End of cycle 2016, 18 year olds)

Higher tariff institutions: the number of 18 year olds from low participation neighbourhoods entering higher tariff institutions has risen sharply since 2012 3.6% 38% Source: UCAS (End of cycle 2016, 18 year olds)

Ten years of progress…what’s behind it? Increase in outreach Student lifecycle approach More tailored, evidence- based spend More collaborative work

Ten years of progress…what’s behind it? Long-term focus, commitment and resource From Government, regulators and funders and the sector High level and bottom- up

Access agreement expenditure Institutions are predicted to spend £833 Access agreement expenditure Institutions are predicted to spend £833.7m through access agreements by 2020-21, an increase of almost 50% since 2012-13 Predicted Source: 2017-18 access agreements

Balance of access agreement expenditure: Institutions are reducing spend on financial support and increasing spend on access, student success and progression activities Predicted Source: 2017-18 access agreements

Progress on access agreement targets: for institutions with an access agreement in 2014-15, 87% of statistical, and 92% of activity-based targets were progressing positively Source: Internal OFFA data (from 2014-15 monitoring)

Continuing challenges

Government’s fair access goal: Achieving the Government’s goal to double the proportion of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds entering higher education by 2020 will require a step change in progress Source: Actual Entry Rates – UCAS End of Cycle 2016

Mature and Part-time students: The numbers of mature (over 21) and part-time students has been declining rapidly – by 46% and 61% respectively from 2006-07 to 2015-16 Source: HESA

Degree outcomes by ethnic group: there are significant differences in degree outcomes between White and BME students Source: HEFCE

Graduate outcomes by ethnic group: The proportion of BME graduates in professional employment or further study is significantly lower than White graduates Difference in professional employment and further study rate for students graduating in 2010-11, by ethnicity Source: HEFCE

Graduate outcomes (professional employment): The proportion of graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds in professional employment or further study is significantly lower than the most advantaged group, even after considering other factors Difference in professional employment and further study rate for students graduating in 2010-11 Source: HESA data published by HEFCE

Looking ahead

Department for Education Bringing together higher education providers with schools, colleges, and apprenticeships will enable more progress across the student lifecycle Increased focus on the role universities play in raising attainment in schools

Higher Education and Research Bill The creation of the Office for Students bring opportunities for fair access Potential to improve coherence and increase resources available to access and participation The increased importance of the role of the Director of Access and Participation within the Office for Students. Access and participation permeates throughout the Office for Students

Continuous improvement In your what you do In how you evaluation and evidence it In data, analysis and research In your continued commitment (individually and as a sector) Social Mobility Advisory Group

And finally…