07.12.09
1994 Group welcomes findings of study that shows success of university bursaries and scholarships
Commenting on the first major national study to examine the impact, awareness and take-up of university bursaries and scholarships commissioned by the Office for Fair Access, Paul Marshall, Executive Director of the 1994 Group said:
"This reports reinforces the message we have received from 1994 Group members. The present system - in which universities develop individual bursary schemes to meet the specific needs of their students - is proving a success and should continue. Variable bursaries and scholarships are helping students to overcome financial barriers to higher education and are successfully encouraging high-achieving lower-income students to opt for more selective universities."
"However, this report rightly highlights that we must not be complacent. There are still improvements to be made in some areas. It is crucial that universities work in partnership with schools to provide excellent advice and guidance and raise aspirations from an early age. We look forward to using the helpful new best practice guidance and continuing to work with OFFA to examine what more we can do to raise awareness of the range of bursaries available for students to attend leading universities."
"1994 Group institutions are strongly committed to improving access and using variable bursaries and scholarships to encourage students from lower socio-economic groups to attend world-class research-intensive universities. Our universities are investing over £43m this year in student support and outreach activity and in addition offer a range of scholarships and bursaries from private donations that continue to grow annually. Widening access and encouraging social mobility is at the heart of the founding vision of many 1994 Group universities."
"A national bursary scheme - which some are calling for - would be a big mistake. It would effectively be a tax, a forced pooling of tuition fee income, which would be distributed away from the institution to which a student pays his or her fee. It would seriously compromise the direct relationship between a student's fees and their education."
Notes to Editors
1. The report, "Awareness, take-up and impact of institutional bursaries and scholarships in England" was commissioned by OFFA and carried out by Professor Claire Callender of Birkbeck, University of London and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. It will be available at: http://www.offa.org.uk/
2. The 1994 Group represents 19 of UK's leading student-focused research-intensive universities. It was established in 1994 to promote excellence in University research and teaching. 7 of the top 10 universities for student experience are 1994 Group Universities (2009 National Student Survey) 1994 Group members include 10 of the top 18 universities in the UK in The Guardian University Guide League Table published on the 12th May 2009.
3. The 1994 Group represents: University of Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Institute of Education University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Reading, University of St Andrews, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, University of York.
4. Press Enquiries, please contact Alistair Jarvis, Director of Communications, 1994 Group. Tel: 07779 232731. Email: alistair.jarvis@1994group.co.uk