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Black student applications more likely to be flagged for fraud and error

BLACK students are more likely to have their university applications flagged for potential fraud or errors than any other ethnic group, according to official data.

Figures show that black applicants made up only 9 per cent of all university applicants between 2013 and 2017, yet 52 per cent of those who had their applications flagged by UCAS’s verification service were black

White students, who made up 73 per cent of applicants in the same period, accounted for 19 per cent of applications flagged. Asian students made up 11 per cent of applicants and 16 per cent of those flagged.

The findings come amid increasing debate about the numbers of black and minority ethnic students going into higher education, and their experiences of studying at universities and colleges.

Zita Holbourne of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts said it was “clearly another example” of racism in the education system.

“Questions needs to be asked, and there needs to be an investigation into the process of this system,” she told the Star.

“It is clearly racist and needs to stop. Black students already face so many barriers, this is another element along with austerity and higher tuition fee costs.

“We know that top universities don’t accept many black students so it’s not surprising that they would try to reject them before even getting a look in. Russell Group universities have less black students than the London Met University.

“It is another form of racial profiling, no different from stop and search, done to deny black students opportunities.”

Ms Holbourne said it was “absolutely disgraceful” and needs to be stopped.

A higher proportion of black students also had their applications cancelled once they had been flagged — more than any other ethnic group.

Ucas, which published the statistics, said it was unclear why this is the case and that they will be working with organisations that represent ethnic minority groups to look at the issue.

It said its verification service aims to help prevent would-be students from gaining an unfair advantage, or gaining a higher education place, through deception.

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