University's figures show 1.5% fall in number of state school admissions, but offers in 2010 are higher

Fewer state school pupils took up a place at Oxford last autumn than the previous year, figures showed today.

The university's annual admissions statistics show that 53.9% of British undergraduates who started their degrees last October were from state schools, down 1.5% from 55.4% in 2008.

The number of private school sixth-formers admitted rose from 44.6% to 46.1%.

This comes after a continued drive led by the government to encourage top universities to take students from a wider mix of backgrounds.

The figures show 56.4% of offers made by Oxford for entry this autumn have gone to state school pupils and that record numbers of pupils are applying to the university.

Preliminary figures for entry show there have been more than 17,000 applications – a 12% increase – for 3,000 places. This means there are about five prospective students chasing every place.

Applications from state school candidates had increased by 85% over the last 10 years, Oxford said.

Mike Nicholson, Oxford's director of undergraduate admissions, said: "The latest admissions figures indicate that Oxford's extensive outreach work encouraging applications from state school students is paying off.

"We are now in a position where our offers to state school students is roughly in line with the latest government figures showing what proportion of students achieving three As at A-level came from state schools.

"We have also bettered our internal target of achieving 62% of applications from state school students a year ahead of schedule.

"While Oxford is continuing to attract record numbers of excellent applicants from state schools, there is still room for more work to be done, and the university will continue to engage with potential applicants, their teachers and advisers, and parents to ensure all those with the potential to excel at Oxford apply."

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