Oxford University has come under scrutiny from some academics who claim that the institution is lowering its standards to meet diversity targets. The university’s Opportunity Oxford program
aims to reserve one in ten undergraduate places for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who might not otherwise gain admission through the standard process.
The scheme focuses on applicants from areas with high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage, often targeting those educated at state schools. Privately educated students are included only in exceptional cases. Oxford insists that students admitted through the program are evaluated "on the same rigorous basis as all other students."
This year, the program is believed to account for 220 of Oxford’s 3,300 undergraduate places, with plans to expand to 280 places by 2028. However, some academics involved in admissions have expressed concerns.
“It is simply false to claim that students in the program are assessed in the same way as others,” one academic told The Times. They noted that some admitted students struggled with basic academic skills, such as writing grammatical essays, a situation they described as unprecedented among Oxford undergraduates.
Another academic raised fears that admitting students through the Opportunity Oxford scheme might lead to candidates with stronger academic credentials being displaced.
Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, criticized the program, arguing that it reflects a misguided prioritization of diversity and inclusion over academic excellence. “Well-intentioned but flawed policies are putting equality above ability, even though intelligence is not evenly distributed,” he said.
In response, a spokesperson for the University of Oxford defended the initiative, stating that all students offered a place through Opportunity Oxford must meet the same conditional offers as other applicants.
“The scheme is designed to ensure equal opportunities for talented students, regardless of their background,” the spokesperson said, emphasizing the university’s commitment to broadening access while maintaining high academic standards.
While the debate continues, the program remains a key part of Oxford’s efforts to address educational inequality and enhance diversity within its student body.