The University of Durham has launched a new Asian Access programme. The programme offers guaranteed lower entry requirements to British Asian applicants in high-demand subjects such as psychology, law, and politics. It is running for the first time this year. Under the initiative, state school pupils of 'Asian heritage/descent' who participate in a free summer school with provided accommodation, travel, and food will receive an 'alternative offer' typically two grades lower than the standard requirement.
The university claims the programme aims to support students typically underrepresented in higher education and particularly at Durham. Supporting data shows educational disparities persist: in 2024, 51.4% of Asian state school pupils in England secured places in higher education, compared with just 29.8% of white students. Only Chinese pupils recorded a higher rate at 66.1%, while black pupils stood at 48%.
This is a blatant case of anti-white discrimination.
Opponents argue the programme creates an unfair two-tier admissions system that penalises white students. Critics claim the scheme ignores existing overrepresentation among Asian applicants and instead prioritises ethnicity over merit. According to Daily Express - UK News, Robert Jenrick described the programme as a case of anti-white discrimination and said it is bizarre to lower grades for British Asian students when they already outperform white British counterparts, adding that university admissions must treat students equally.
A Durham University spokesman stated that the university encourages applications from talented students of all backgrounds and that admissions decisions are fair, non-discriminatory and based on published entry criteria. The specific 'alternative offer' grades being offered under the Asian Access programme compared to standard requirements have not been detailed publicly. How many students are expected to participate in the Asian Access programme this year remains unclear, as do the specific criteria defining 'Asian heritage/descent' for eligibility. Whether the university has received any formal complaints or legal challenges regarding the programme is unknown, as is information about what other universities or institutions have similar programmes and how they compare.
It is bizarre that Durham University think it's sensible to lower the grades for British Asian students when they already outperform their white British counterparts. University admissions must treat students equally and stop trying to socially engineer outcomes by creating a two-tier system.