Uni hits back after low offers slated

An undercover reporter from The Sunday Times posing as a sixth form student was offered places on law and engineering degree courses with two E grades. The paper called it a “bargain basement scramble” to fill places before the new academic year begins.

But Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said: “I don’t accept the Sunday Times criticism of our offering places to students with valid A-level results.

“We accept a small number of students on some courses with two E grades, but these account for only 1.5 per cent of our annual intake of new students, and we recruit at all levels, including at ABB and above.

“We are a university that excels in providing a strong academic curriculum along with advanced academic skills so that we unlock the potential of a wide range of students, from diverse backgrounds, who have the required entry grades.

“We know from experience this works. We offer a range of support to our students, including through a personal coaching system and our Professional and Academic Development department.”