Oxford accused of 'bias' against ethnic minorities because of success of white candidates in getting places on competitive cours

By Sarah Harris. White applicants to some of the most competitive courses are twice as likely to get places.
Of British students applying, 25.7% received an offer compared to 17.2% of students from ethnic minorities. MP David Lammy said the figures suggested an 'institutional bias'. Oxford University was yesterday accused of ‘institutional bias’ against ethnic minorities amid striking differences in different racial groups’ entry rates. White applicants to some of the most competitive courses are up to twice as likely to get places even with the same A-level grades, according to data released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Overall, of the white, British students applying in 2010 and 2011, 25.7 per cent received an offer to attend the university, compared to 17.2 per cent of students from ethnic minorities. The gaps were most marked in medicine and economics and management but there was statistically no difference in success rates between white and non-white students applying for law. Read more...