Universities Trial Anonymous Applications
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A number of universities are to test name-blind admissions to stop the potential discrimination of students based on assumptions about students' names.
Those universities taking part in the trial include, Exeter, Huddersfield, Liverpool and Winchester.
The aim of the pilot is to stop potential bias about students' race and identity, and falls in line with Universities Minister Jo Johnson's plans to stamp out inequality.
Although names on applicants will be hidden, the admissions process will still use contextual information about the student, such as whether they were from a low income family.
It's hoped that the pilot study will help find out how the Conservatives aim of promoting social mobility and preventing bias against minorities might be implemented more widely, including whether the name should be known before a decision is made to offer them a place.
For universities that interview applicants, they would need to decide when admissions officers would have access to the names of students.
The concept of name-blind applications is also being tested by employers such as Deloitte. In an attempt to build a more diverse workforce the company is attempting to conceal as much information about the applicant as possible, including knowing which university or school the applicant has attended.
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Head of Research at StuRents
Richard leads the StuRents research team, providing proprietary, platform-driven insights to help stakeholders make better-informed decisions about the market.
