Only Five Wrexham Students Accepted Into Oxford In Five Years

An MP has criticised Oxford University’s admissions policy after it was revealed that they admitted only five students from Wrexham between 2006-2010.

In contrast 537 students from Hampshire and 528 from Hertfordshire were admitted during the same period, compared to just 46 for the whole of North Wales.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas raised the issue in the Houses of Parliament as he asked Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable if the way that students were chosen by Oxford to receive places should be altered.

Mr Lucas, who studied at Oxford himself, said: “Between 2006 and 2010, five students only from Wrexham were admitted to Oxford university – regrettably, there was no right of appeal to the Select Committee on Business, Innovation and Skills.

“Does the Secretary of State agree that admission by interview prevents transparent consideration of admissions criteria and of the effect of those criteria?”

In reply, Mr Cable suggested that he was hoping his choice for the head of the Office for Fair Access, Paul Ebdon, would have an influence on the decisions of universities such as Oxford.

Mr Cable said: “I do not want to get into criticising universities. I have already made it very clear that they are independent bodies responsible for their own admissions policies.

“The access agreements that they sign will improve access, that is why those agreements are in place and that is what Professor Ebdon is there to do. I do not, as a Minister, want to lecture universities on how they admit particular students.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Lucas said: “Just five students from Wrexham seems a low number for almost five years, especially when, in the same length of time, 537 students from Hampshire and 528 from Hertfordshire were admitted.

“I have been concerned about the level of access for many years and have raised it before. Ministers can be sure I will raise it again if necessary.”