State school pupils are put off applying to Oxford University by the stiff selection procedure.

A national survey of more than 2,000 school-leavers revealed the most common reason for not applying to Oxford - and fellow top-rated university Cambridge - was that they did not expect to get the necessary A-level grades.

Last year, 73 per cent of those admitted to Oxford had at least three As, compared with only eight per cent across all universities.

Four out of ten Students said the interview system operated by both universities made them less likely to apply.

Another important factor was a perception that Oxford and Cambridge were elitist institutions.

Students who were attracted to Oxbridge chose them because of the type of courses on offer, the quality of an Oxbridge degree, the reputation of the two universities and the tutorial teaching methods used.

They were also attracted by the level of graduate employment, the organisation of teaching, the location and the college system. The report, commissioned by both universities, was carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research to determine what factors influence young people's decisions on whether to apply to Oxford or Cambridge.

Oxford University's Vice-Chancellor, Dr Colin Lucas, who chairs a working party reviewing admissions procedures, said: "We commissioned this new research because we wanted to find out what makes young people decide to go to one university rather than another.

"We are, of course, pleased that some students choose to come here because of our academic reputation and we take some comfort from the fact that our admissions process is not seen as a deterrent.

"Sadly, many of the perceptions revealed about Oxford and Cambridge are out of date or plain wrong. For example, we do have a varied social mix, we do not cost more and, although students are expected to work hard, they are also expected to enjoy a full and varied life, with plenty of extra-curricular activity."

The working party is currently finalising an action plan of new measures aimed at increasing the openness of the admissions process.

Story date: Monday 08 March

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