HESA Performance Indicators Show That 1994 Group Universities Are 'elite But Not Elitist'

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 09 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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1994 Group universities are continuing to widen access to higher education, attracting over 4/5 of their students from state schools for a third consecutive year, as highlighted by statistics published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA.) As well as increasing their average percentage of entrants from state schools by three times the national average, 1994 Group universities have also achieved drop-out rates well below the sector-wide average for a forth year running, signalling that wider participation and high quality student experience can go hand in hand.

Paul Marshall, Executive Director of the 1994 Group, said that the HESA performance indicators "reconfirm yet again that the 1994 Group universities are unrivalled in offering an outstanding academic experience to the talented students regardless of their background."

Professor Bob Burgess, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, and a member of the 1994 Group Chair's Advisory Group, commented that the results show that for a university to be considered among the best it must be able to demonstrate that it is "elite without being elitist."

"What this means is that to be truly counted as elite in the 21st Century it is no longer good enough for a university just to be able to point to evidence that it produces world-class research and delivers high quality research-led teaching. It must also be able to demonstrate a commitment to and success in achieving targets for widening participation, and provide a high quality student experience as demonstrated by student satisfaction ratings.

Referring to the 'vanguard' of universities in the 1994 Group, Professor Burgess added: "These values represent a new movement in higher education that is significant enough to warrant the attention and support of policy-makers, academics, and HE agencies and leaders. They are the embodiment of the 21st Century university."

With an average 82% of young full-time first degree entrants from state schools, the 1994 Group universities have recorded their highest average intake of state school entrants ever, demonstrating their sustained commitment to widening participation.

Notes

1. The 1994 Group represents 18 of UK's leading research intensive universities. It was established in 1994 to promote excellence in University research and teaching. http://www.1994group.ac.uk

2. 1994 Group members include 10 of the top 18 universities in the UK in The Guardian University Guide League Table published on the 12th May 2009; 11 of the top 25 universities in The Complete University Guide published in the Independent on the 30th April 2009; 9 of the top 200 universities in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2008. 5 of the top 8 universities for student experience are 1994 Group Universities (2008 National Student Survey). The Times Good University Guide 2010 league tables published on the 3rd June 2009 put 1994 Group universities top in six regions of the UK

3. The 1994 Group represents: University of Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Reading, University of St Andrews, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, University of York.

Source
1994 Group