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Luton outstrips its rivals in supporting students

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Luton outstrips its rivals in supporting students

20 Jul 2006 08:58:34

The VC Professor Les Ebdon

Luton is one of the country’s leading universities for attracting students from under-represented groups, neighbourhoods and backgrounds.

That’s the message from the Government’s latest figures, which show that Luton is “significantly better” than other universities in attracting – and, most importantly, supporting –students from traditionally low-participation backgrounds.

University Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon said: “Students are attracted to Luton because of its warm welcome. They know that we have top-quality teaching, as a number of Government reports have shown, but they also know that this is a supportive and caring environment.

“Basically, studying at Luton increases students’ confidence and skills, as well as their grades.”

The latest figures from the Government’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) compare universities’ performances in a number of areas, including attracting students from different groups, ages and backgrounds and supporting students through their courses. The figures are set against ‘benchmarks’ and are also adjusted for location. In virtually every area, Luton improved its score on the previous year.

Professor Ebdon said: “The figures show that we are on an upwards trend and have improved our performance year after year.”

For example, Luton is above its benchmark figures in the following areas:

  • Intake of young students from low-participation neighbourhoods is 18.2 per cent (against a benchmark of 14.2 per cent);
  • State school student intake sits at 99.5 per cent (against a benchmark of 95.6 per cent);
  • Lower social classes intake is 43.4 per cent (against a benchmark of 35.7 per cent); and
  • Intake of mature students is 12.9 per cent (against a benchmark of 12.6 per cent).

Professor Ebdon said: “I am delighted with these results. They are based on exact and accurate data – ie not manipulated by newspapers – and have come directly from the Government.”

And he added: “We will continue to increase our support for students. For example, this coming year, we are introducing a new financial support package which will mean that every full-time honours degree student will receive a £300 bursary, with some receiving up to £1,750 per year. We believe it’s one of the most generous bursaries on offer across the sector.”

Bedfordshire University

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