England¡¯s universities minister has redoubled her criticism of the recent expansion of higher education, saying it is ¡°far too simplistic¡± to view university entry rates as an indicator of social mobility.

In a speech to the University of Buckingham¡¯s Festival of Higher Education on 21?July, Michelle Donelan said educational inequalities between black and white students at UK universities highlighted why the sector¡¯s focus should ¡°not just be about getting students into university¡±, but ensuring that ¡°they are taking high-quality courses that lead to graduate jobs¡±.

While about 60?per cent of black people enrolled in UK higher education by the age of 19, compared with 38.2?per cent of white people, they were ¡°less likely to complete their courses, obtain upper-class degrees or go on to get a graduate job¡±, explained Ms Donelan, citing how 60?per cent of black students gained at least a 2.1 compared with 82?per cent of white students.

These levels of under-attainment indicated why it was ¡°far too simplistic to look at the number going to university from a group¡± as a measure of success, said Ms Donelan.

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¡°True social mobility is not just getting [students] to the door ¨C it is getting them to the finishing line,¡± said Ms Donelan, who added that universities should ¡°put students, their needs and career ambitions first¡±.

Her remarks follow comments to MPs earlier this month that ¡°it doesn¡¯t matter which groups don¡¯t get to university¡± because the focus should be on outcomes and what is in the ¡°best interests¡± on individual students.

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Reflecting on her experience as the first in her family to go to university, Ms Donelan said she ¡°directly know[s] the ability of universities to open up opportunities and transform lives¡±.

¡°However, we must always keep in mind that university is not the only path,¡± added Ms Donelan, saying ¡°there should be no one-size-fits-all policy¡± and that ¡°for some, further education will support their goals more¡±.

On university access, Ms Donelan said her mission was to ¡°enable [doors to universities] to open for those with the grades to unlock them¡±, adding that the UK¡¯s ¡°world-class sector¡± should be ¡°focused on individuals, on skills, rigorous academic standards and outcomes to fill our productivity gap, fuel our economy and create opportunities¡±.

Ms Donelan also praised universities for their response to the Covid-19 crisis and said she was ¡°delighted¡± that the Office for Students had enforced the suspension of conditional unconditional offers, in which students are awarded a place regardless of their grades on the proviso that they discard all other offers.

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¡°Frankly, there is no justification for such practices,¡± said Ms Donelan, adding that she wanted to see such offers ¡°end for good¡±.

jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com