Diversity 'should be encouraged' at universities with maximum fees

Universities that are charging the maximum fees of £9,000 per annum should focus on diversity in their e-learning and campus-based courses.

Dr Rob Berkeley, director of leading race equality think tank the Runnymede Trust, said the ethnic make-up of the top educational institutions across the UK should reflect the diverse background of many people in modern Britain and it is important that this issue is taken seriously.

He commented: "We would like those universities seeking to charge £9,000 per year in tuition fees to take their commitment to including talent from all backgrounds seriously."

According to prime minister David Cameron, universities such as Oxford should do more to address racial inequality.

He argued that figures have shown that just one black individual went to the university in 2010 and he branded this lack of diversity as "disgraceful".

Dr Berkeley added it is good to see the prime minister taken such a positive stand on this issue.