ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

'Universities are taking matters into their own hands' on fair access, says Imperial's President.

, Professor Alice Gast said "fair university admissions and two decades of school reforms are pointing Britain in a meritocratic direction, but we have some way to go. By the time disadvantaged ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ apply to university, it is often too late. This is crucial in mathematics, where a proven high capability is essential for science, technology and engineering degrees."

This has spurred leading universities to found mathematics schools that help disadvantaged sixth form ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. Imperial is set to open a specialist maths school in Autumn 2023 focused on attracting more female ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ from BAME groups and disadvantaged and under-represented communities into STEM. 

However, to reach an even wider audience, "we can lean harder on technology," Professor Gast writes.  

Imperial's "provide resources for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ aspiring to the highest A-level mathematics grades. They can see, and build towards, the standards of elite universities."

"A happy by-product, consumer surplus, even, is that many outside Britain are taking these free courses, including in low- and middle-income countries."