Nearly twice that private school students go to elite universities compared to their state school peers in 2022/23, DfE data shows.
The gap between private school and state school students attending top-tier universities rose in the past three years, according to the Department for Education (DfE) data released on October 24.
Nearly seven in 10 (67.8 per cent) students who took A level by age 19 in Independent schools got into elite universities.
In contrast, less than four in 10 (34.2 per cent) state school students progressed to the same group of schools.
Close to twice as many private school students are able to attend top universities as state school students proportionally.
The gap was not only shown in elite universities but also the general progression of higher education.
Close to nine in 10 (88.5 per cent) Independent school students progressed to Higher Education after A-level by age 19.
At the same time, more than eight in 10 (82 per cent) of state school students did in 2022/23.
The gap is relatively smaller than the elite school admission.
Concerns of the gap are raised by scholars and governors.
Professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, Lee Elliot Major, told PA news agency: “The growing gulf in elite university admissions is deeply worrying, given that a degree remains a lifeline for so many to better careers and futures.”
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said the data exposed the inequalities become more serious by the year.
She said it is the Government’s mission to help young people break the link, especially to help disadvantaged students access higher education.
The Russell Group stated they were committed to make progress regarding the accessibility and participation strategies.
“There are still many challenges” although there has been 35 per cent growth in the number of under-represented students studying at Russell Group universities since 2019, the spokesperson said.
According to the Pathway for Potential 2023, Russell Group universities have been taking different actions to widen access and participation, such as outreach activities, scholarships and bursaries for the most under-represented students since 2020.
The University of Cambridge expanded the bursary receivers threshold from household income up to £42,000 to £62,000.
The University of Oxford started two access schemes, Opportunity Oxford and Foundation Oxford in 2019, in order to increase the chances of talented under-represented students to study at Oxford.
While more under-represented attended top-tier universities, the admission rate between classes was still growing.
Philipson said: “Universities can and must do more.”