Andrew Pakes: "Force for social justice"

Andrew Pakes, president of the National Union of Students, creating a set number of places at top universities and allocating them to schools in the most deprived areas would "level the playing field".

In a pamphlet to be published next week, Mr Pakes says the background of students should be monitored to ensure that state-funded colleges are meeting the government's objective of widening participation in higher education.

But the universities reject the idea, arguing that the admissions process is already fair.

In his pamphlet, Privilege and Prejudice, Mr Pakes writes: "The old school tie system should be tackled with positive action by using 'opportunity quotas'."

This would let students from lower income backgrounds compete, "A-level grade for A-level grade", against the socially privileged.

'Social justice'

"This is not a suggestion for lowering standards but an argument for a fair redistribution of opportunity," he says.

"This is an argument for making the university sector a true force for social justice.

"By enshrining equality of opportunity in the applications process we would be banishing the link between privilege and prejudice in higher education."

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the UK's universities (CVCP), although not responding directly to these ideas, said on Friday that it was against quota systems.

'Not helpful'

Its chief executive, Diana Warwick, said: "Universities must be allowed to choose the best applicants for particular courses without outside interference.

"These are tough decisions to make for many institutions, especially where popular subjects are concerned, but the process is fair."

Quotas "would not be helpful".

"We will saying this in no uncertain terms to the select committee inquiry on higher education later this year."

CVCP was working with universities to highlight best practice in admissions systems and in finding new ways to attract the widest intake of students.

It has been given �200,000 by the government to do this research.

"We already work with schools and colleges to ensure young people from all backgrounds with the potential are encouraged to aspire to university and to achieve the qualifications needed," Baroness Warwick added.

Lecturers disagree Members of the lecturers' union Natfhe will be debating access to higher education at its annual conference in Blackpool this weekend.

The head of the union's university department, Tom Wilson, said the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, had been right to stir the row by accusing Oxford of eltisim.

And he said the government was right to ask the House of Commons education select committee to investigate.

"Of course Oxford should do better," he said.

"Of course it is absurd that only half of Oxbridge entrants are from the state sector even though it comprises 93% of all pupils.

"The problem is deep rooted. Many state school pupils reject Oxbridge. They do not want to be surrounded by public-school pupils."