Elite universities have hoovered up a larger share of students this year, putting lower-ranked institutions at risk of mergers, data suggests.
New analysis by Times Higher Education shows that the top third of universities recruited two-fifths of school-leavers, leaving fewer for the others.
These top establishments – mainly made up of the Russell Group – were looking to fill spaces left by a dip in international students. However, if the trend continues, the lower-prestige institutions will become unviable due to lack of numbers, experts warn.
Bob Savill, head of student recruitment at the University of Chichester, told THE: ‘For the rest of the sector, it’s going to be very challenging and... one would imagine we’ll see mergers, and so on, in the coming year.’
Analysis of Ucas data released on A-level results day show ‘higher-tariff’ universities – those ranked in the top third for how demanding their entry requirements are – took a disproportionate share of the students this year.
