To recruit more black students, we must demystify Oxbridge admissions | Raph Mokades
Black Britons are prominent in British athletics, among our best writers and musicians, and increasingly visible in our world-beating financial and legal industries. So why aren’t more black faces seen at the UK’s elite academic institutions? Labour MP David Lammy recently pitched a grenade into this debate, accusing Oxford and Cambridge universities of practising “social apartheid”. Lammy drew attention to data confirming the under-representation of black and working-class students with top A-level results at Oxbridge. The statistics were disappointing and the upset understandable.
Critics argue that Britain’s two most prominent academic champions have been especially slow to harness diverse talent, with an admissions process that effectively discriminates in favour of white, middle-class students. The universities dispute this, with their defenders arguing that schools do not send enough bright black candidates their way.
The Guardian view on Oxbridge admissions: race, place and class matters
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We have also heard warnings of a lack of “ethnic mixing” in British universities, with young students from ethnic minorities avoiding less diverse parts of the country for fear of being ostracised and excluded. Research suggests they are concentrating themselves in a relatively small number of “super diverse” new universities in London and other big cities.
The problem is not Oxbridge’s alone to solve; there is no single issue to be addressed, but rather a complicated ensemble of factors. This starts with the fact that Oxford’s sandstone walls look like impervious bastions of privilege to many young people from low-income or ethnic-minority households. Some fear cultural isolation and institutional bias. Others have financial concerns, in spite of the generous scholarships on offer at some colleges.
That’s before one even gets to the application process, which is a minefield for the uninitiated. Most universities accept applications until January, Oxbridge requires them in October. It sets extra exams, which schools must invigilate. College interviews are stomach-wrenching prospects. For almost anyone, it’s a daunting system to navigate, but it’s even harder if you don’t have savvy teachers or academic role models.
The reality is that many black pupils simply choose not to apply to Oxbridge. Those who do apply are less likely to get in. This is partly because they achieve lower grades on average and are disproportionately likely to apply for the most competitive courses, such as law and medicine. Black pupils also tend to struggle in interviews, a process naturally more suited to those with what might loosely be termed middle-class traits – the “dinner party” conversational training that forms part of growing up in relatively privileged circumstances.
Some say elite universities should limit academic selection to boost social mobility. But is root-and-branch reform really necessary to ensure that access to Oxbridge is fair and merit-based?
I would argue not. I run Target Oxbridge, a programme offering African and Caribbean students personalised advice on A-level choices and the university application process. It also involves regular contact with black Oxbridge graduates to provide role models and visits to both universities to demystify their dreaming spires. Sponsored by the universities themselves, the aim is to help bust some of the misconceptions about life there.
Our programme has helped 46 black students receive offers, including 16 this year, at a success rate of 36% – well above the national average of around 20%. A photograph of black Cambridge students posing proudly in an ivy-clad quadrangle, which recently went viral in the media, features two Target Oxbridge alumni.
Oxbridge 'failing to address diversity', David Lammy says
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It’s important too that Oxford and Cambridge recognise the problem and make strenuous efforts to improve the chances of black 18-year-olds getting into institutions befitting their talents. It’s heartening to see both universities now make extensive use of contextual data to identify potential in students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Oxford also sends outreach officers around the country in a bid to change perceptions and bring some diversity to its quads. As with all measures to address diversity, none of the solutions will change things overnight, but greater awareness of the problem is a start, and building on these first steps will be essential.
But elite universities cannot work in isolation and improving diversity requires a coordinated effort between universities, schools and third-sector organisations. Target Oxbridge is just one partner helping to connect the universities to talented students who might otherwise be beyond its reach. And it is certainly working.
Commentators are right to rail against the limited numbers of black students at the UK’s top universities. But they are wrong if they think this is a problem that can’t be solved within the current system.
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