There is a slight increase in students from poorer families

The University was amongst a group of institutions in England which the Higher Education Funding Council for England said were failing to widen access to people from poorer backgrounds.

Their figures showed that only a quarter of undergraduates taken in by some universities come from the three lowest socio-economic groups: 40% of the population is described as belonging to this group.

A spokesman for Bristol University said: "The University's intake from the maintained sector rose to 62.1% this year from 61% in 2002.

No bias

"This is an all-time high, following a slow but steady rise since the 1997 figure of only 55%."

Earlier this year, independent schools complained of "positive discrimination" by the University, which they said would disadvantage their pupils unfairly.

Their representative body - the Headmasters' and Headmistress' Conference - called for a boycott of the institution, which was later withdrawn.

The University denies any bias, and says it has about 39,000 applicants for 3,300 undergraduate places each year.

The spokesman added: "We judge applicants on their ability, motivation and potential, not the sector in which they have been educated.

"We work hard, alongside the Students' Union, to encourage exceptionally talented people from right across the social spectrum to apply to Bristol.

"The ones we want exist in all walks of life and we are keen they should consider Bristol, whatever their background, so we don't miss out on their talent.

"A more diverse student body also means a better educational and social context for everyone.

"There will be no let-up in our efforts to widen participation. It goes hand in hand with our mission to maintain standards. We have started a review of our work in this field with the aim of strengthening it."