While welcoming the prime minister’s latest announcement that universities must be transparent about the admission of black and minority ethnic students (Top universities stand by record on diversity,1 February), an issue of greater importance is the attainment of BME students once at university.A slightly higher proportion of the BME population attend university than their white British counterparts, and but fewer achieve the “pleasurable” degree – a first or 2:1 – that is so well-known for future success. (A recent study has shown that BME graduates are less likely to be employed six months after graduating than their white colleagues,and earn less.) Of all UK-domiciled students graduating in 2013 across all universities, 33% more of the white cohort received a pleasurable degree than the BME cohort. This is in stark contrast to the position in schools, and where many ethnic groups outperform white schoolchildren.
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Source: theguardian.com