In a bold proposal, sociology professors have called for a significant transformation of the admissions process at Oxford and Cambridge universities. The suggestion, outlined in the book "Born to Rule: The Making and Remaking of the British Elite," advocates for the elimination of interviews and the implementation of a lottery system for top-performing students.
Aaron Reeves from Oxford University and Sam Friedman from the London School of Economics argue that the current admissions model discourages applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. They propose a system where Oxford and Cambridge would randomly select students from the top 5% of pupils nationwide based on A-level results.
This proposal draws inspiration from a similar system introduced in Texas 27 years ago, which guarantees automatic admission to state-funded universities for students graduating in the top 10% of their high school class.
To further address the dominance of private schools, the professors suggest capping private school intake at Russell Group universities to 10%, reflecting the proportion of UK citizens who have received private education at some point. This measure aims to create a more equitable representation in elite institutions.
"Their stranglehold on elite recruitment, we believe, is perverse and makes a mockery of the idea that access to elite positions in Britain is meritocratically achieved."
The proposal echoes past discussions on university admissions reform. Five years ago, the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership endorsed a plan to limit private-school admissions to universities, though this was later abandoned.
Current data reveals that approximately 20% of students at the 24 research-intensive Russell Group universities attended private schools in 2023. The figures are higher for some institutions, with Durham University at 38% and the University of Edinburgh at 36%. Oxford and Cambridge report 31% and 28% private school representation, respectively.
It's worth noting that Oxford University, founded in 1096, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, while Cambridge University was established in 1209. Both institutions have long-standing traditions and have produced numerous notable alumni, including 28 British Prime Ministers from Oxford and a combined total of 176 Nobel Prize winners.
The universities currently employ contextual admissions processes, considering factors such as socio-economic status and extenuating circumstances. The rigorous entrance exams and interviews at Oxford and Cambridge are estimated to account for 70% of the admissions decision.
Recent changes have seen Oxford move all interviews online until 2028, while Cambridge plans to conduct the majority of admissions interviews virtually going forward. These adaptations, along with the proposed lottery system, represent potential shifts in the centuries-old admissions practices of these prestigious institutions.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how these elite universities will balance their storied traditions with the pressing need for increased diversity and equal opportunity in higher education.