Widening access and participation schemes: response to Mail story

Published 9am, Wednesday 15 April 2026

A Durham University spokesperson said:

“This story is untrue.  We do not discriminate or make contextual offers based on ethnicity.

“We encourage applications from all talented students with the potential to succeed at Durham University, irrespective of background.

“Our admissions decisions are fair and based on published entry criteria. 

“We agreed with the Office for Students as part of our published access and participation plan that we would increase our numbers of students who are underrepresented at Durham through a range of targeted intervention schemes and a range of financial support.

“We offer several access programmes of academic study to support underrepresented students to apply and prepare for university and thrive while they are here.

“Students must meet published criteria to apply successfully, including demonstrating high academic achievement and potential, and come from neighbourhoods with low progression rates for university.

“Contextual offers, which are standard practice in the higher education sector and shown to be effective in supporting underrepresented students to access university, are made to all eligible students who complete successfully their programme of academic study.”