19 Jul 07

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has released Performance Indicators for all higher education institutions for the year 2005-6. These confirm that Oxford University has the lowest drop-out rate in the country. Only 1.4 per cent discontinued their course at Oxford, compared to the national drop-out rate of 7.2 per cent. Oxford's employment rates continue to be above average at 94.4 per cent compared to 93.2 per cent nationwide.

HESA's figures also include comparative data on the performance of institutions in widening participation. They show that Oxford's intake of students from state schools rose by 0.3 per cent to 53.7 per cent. The intake from lower socio-economic groups showed a drop to from 12.3 to 11.4 per cent, while that from low-participation backgrounds rose from 4.6 to 5 per cent.

Mike Nicholson, Director of Undergraduate Admission at the University of Oxford, said: 'There are many economic and social factors which prevent students reaching their full academic potential by 18. For our part, we are doing our utmost to encourage academic ambition from a young age by working with students from 11 up, and by working closely with parents and teachers.

'Our comprehensive range of widening access activities includes summer schools, school visits and student-shadowing programmes as well as sustained contact programmes such as the Ambassadors programme. Such programmes are delivered over a number of years and involve participants in regular activities tailored to their stage of education.

'Events for teachers and parents also play a crucial part in Oxford's widening participation programmes as we recognise the importance of encouragement and support from those who educate and care for young people. Most recently, the University hosted a seminar on widening participation to engage education experts and access practitioners in a sector-wide debate on the issue.'