Participation in higher education by ethnicity

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Data published by the Department for Education (DfE) show that 45 per cent of white students who took A levels or equivalent qualifications in 2012-13 entered higher education the following year, compared with 64 per cent of students described as being from an Asian background and 61 per cent of black school-leavers.

Black students were least likely to study at a Russell Group university, with only 7 per cent of them being admitted. The figures were 11 per cent for white students, and 13 per cent for students of Asian heritage.

The percentage of all 2012-13 school-leavers in “sustained destinations” – taking part in education or employment for at least two terms – the year after A levels was 73 per cent, up from 71 per cent the previous year. The proportion of students who were in higher education was unchanged, at 48 per cent.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com