The UK Social Mobility Commission’s December report, setting out its approach to boosting equality of opportunity, is hardly the first to question the efficacy and fairness of contextual university admissions. The Sutton Trust’s Contextual Offers Tool for 2025 entry is now live, providing an updated resource to help UK universities and applicants navigate contextual admission as the Ucas application deadline looms. ADVERTISEMENTOf the total number of UK universities reviewed (166), only 46 are currently applying contextual offers and publishing information online. In the absence of sector-wide guidance, there are also wide variations in the visibility and clarity of contextual admissions. Scaled and standardised contextual admissions can widen access to underrepresented groups, diversify the talent pool and contribute to a fairer society.

Source: The Times January 16, 2025 05:08 UTC