FORMER First Minister Alex Salmond named and shamed the University of St Andrews is failing to fulfil its duty to the population as a whole by educating people from across the social spectrum.

The SNP MP, who was a student at St Andrews where he studied Economics and Medieval History, spoke out to millions watching a discussion on BBC's Question Time over whether there should be quotas in elite universities such as Oxford and Cambridge for students from diverse backgrounds.

He reacted to comments from the son of a former admissions tutor of St Peter's College, Oxford who said the bane of his father's life was quotas for ethnic minority students.

The Herald:

He said: "He frequently told me he had to choose less academically able students because of the places and backgrounds they came from. At the end of the day Oxford and Cambridge as centres of academic excellence and that should be championed."

Mr Salmond responded with a case study featuring the University of Glasgow and the University of St Andrews.

"I have interest in both. I am a doctor of the University of Glasgow, I was a student at St Andrews," he said.

"They are both highly rated internationally orientated universities but Glasgow has a huge social mix in its student population, St Andrews doesn't.

"The idea you maintain excellence by having a fairly exclusive social mix is entirely wrong headed, it's entirely mistaken.

"These are two examples of two outstanding universities, but one of which I think fulfils its duty to the population as a whole by educating people across the social spectrum and the other I am afraid, does not."

Mr Salmond then reacted incredulously as the audience member "disagreed entirely" suggesting the University of Glasgow is not as sought after an educational establishment as St Andrews.

The Herald:

His comments came a matter of weeks after the SNP's higher education minister Shirley-Anne Somerville accused some universities of dragging their feet over demands to admit more poor students.

Speaking at a fringe event at the SNP conference, Ms Somerville said that despite a high-profile drive to increase social diversity at campuses and the imposition of tough new targets, progress was sporadic and not systemic. She openly questioned whether some universities were “living up to the challenge” set by government.

Although she did not mention any university by name, the comments were interpreted as a thinly-veiled warning to some of Scotland’s elite institutions - particularly Aberdeen, Edinburgh and St Andrews.

On Wednesday a major think-tank report sid that giving pupils from poorer backgrounds a “two-grade break” could lead to 50 per cent more pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds being admitted to top universities.

The Sutton Trust’s research examined the background of pupils from such backgrounds at 30 of the most selective universities in the UK, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews and Strathclyde.

The admissions policy of the University of St Andrews says it is in place to ensure fairness "for all applicants, regardless of background". 

It's policy states: "The University is committed to reducing barriers to entry for students with the potential to succeed at St Andrews. We will allow all students to demonstrate their potential, regardless of social or economic background, whether this is related to their place of education, family background, or residence. We do this using relevant pre-entry information, clear entrance requirements and robust assessment methods, appropriate to each application cohort."
Mr Salmond's comments created a furious debate on social media.
 

Mr Salmond's comments created a furious debate on social media.