NUS RESPONDS TO SUTTON TRUST REPORT ON UNIVERSITY CHOICES

The National Union of Students (NUS) today responded to research published by the Sutton Trust looking at the reasons why students choose the university and course that they do.

Reacting to comments about the report by Universities Minister, David Willetts, NUS said that students would not be taken in by his claim that it was now easier to get to university.

Liam Burns, NUS President, said:

“The idea that David Willetts believes the government is making it easier for people to fulfil their dreams irrespective of where they grew up, in the very week when we learn that university applications have fallen by almost a quarter in some of the poorest areas of the country, will sound like a cruel joke to students.

“It just shows how misguided and out of touch ministers are.

“Students and young people from every corner over the country will be descending on London next week to protest at having the rug of opportunity pulled from under their feet.

“The government has taken a huge gamble with the futures of young people from right across the country and left huge barriers in their way.”

ENDS

NUS Press Release – 07866 695010 / pressoffice@nus.org.uk

On November 21st 2012 students from around the country will come together in London to demonstrate against the impact of the government’s austerity agenda on students. For details on #Demo2012 go to www.demo2012.org.uk. Educate. Employ. Empower.

NUS (National Union of Students) is a voluntary membership organisation which makes a real difference to the lives of students and its member students' unions.

We are a confederation of 600 students' unions, amounting to more than 95 per cent of all higher and further education unions in the UK. Through our member students' unions, we represent the interests of more than seven million students.