Rise in number of black students admitted to Cambridge University

A record number of black students are studying at Cambridge university.

New figures show 91 black students were admitted to the university this year, up 50 per cent from last Autumn.

There are now more than 200 black students studying at the university this year.

Professor Graham Virgo, Cambridge's senior pro-vice-chancellor for education said the university had been working hard to show that it is a welcoming place for all students.

"This record rise in the number of black students is a credit to their hardwork and ability - we have not lowered entry standards", he said.

"We have achieved this without any reduction in offer levels or provision ofpreferential treatment."

The university has been previously criticised for its lack of diversity.

The Universities Minister Sam Gyimah criticised its "staggering" failure to attract more students who are black or from less privileged backgrounds.

But Cambridge university said its made significant progress to attract a range of students without lowering standards.

For the first time, black students made up more than 3 per cent of the undergraduate intake, which is reflective of wider UK society, the university said.

It said the rise was due to a number of factors, including the "Stormzyeffect"

The rapper announced he will pay the tuition fees and living costs of two black students at Cambridge every year.

The "Stormzy Scholarship" is aimed at supporting people from minority backgrounds who have earned a place at the University of Cambridge.

The rapper hopes the scheme will help address the low number of black students who attend Oxbridge institutions.