Oxford University's latest figures have shown an increase in student applications and acceptances from ethnic minority backgrounds.

The university has just published its latest figures for entry to undergraduate courses in 2007.

Last month, US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson visited Regents Park College to launch a programme encouraging more blacks to apply to university.

In 2007, 13,639 candidates applied, an increase of 8.1 per cent on 2006.

The number of applic- ations from black ethnic minorities rose by 19 per cent, with acceptances rising by 21 per cent, from 43 to 52.

A motion tabled by Evan Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, in Parliament welcomed the news.

It said: "This House welcomes the University of Oxford Black Boys Can Programme, which is run in conjunction with the National Black Boys Can Association; Wishes the 26 students in this year's programme every success, and encourages more higher education institutions in the UK to participate in such schemes."

Mike Nicholson, director of undergraduate admissions, said: "Competition for a place to study at Oxford University has been fiercer than ever last year.

"It's good to see that specifically targeted outreach activities, such as our work with black ethnic minorities, is beginning to bear fruit."

The total number of acceptances for entry in 2007 was 3,160, equating to an overall success rate of 23.2 per cent, down on the previous year's success rate of 25.4 per cent.

The lower overall success rate is explained by the increase in applications while the number of places stayed constant.