THE University of Southampton has been praised for opening its doors to state school students – in stark contrast to other leading institutions.

The proportion of Southampton students from non-fee paying schools rose from 80.9 per cent in 2002-3 to 83.8 per cent in 2010-11, a government-commissioned report found.

Southampton is also recruiting more youngsters from the poorest social backgrounds – up from 18.6 per cent to 19.2 per cent, over the same period.

That record stands out from the vast majority of universities in the elite “Russell Group”, which are becoming more dominated by students from rich backgrounds.

Across the Russell Group, the proportion of students from state schools fell from 75.6 per cent to 74.6 per cent – with much steeper falls at some universities, such as Durham (down 9.2 per cent).

The statistics were produced by the social mobility commission, set up amid growing concern at the iron grip held on top jobs by people from private schools.

Alan Milburn, the former Labour Cabinet minister, who leads the commission, pictured left, said: “Universities are becoming increasingly central to our future social prospects.

“Who gets in to university, and how they get on once they have left, will be crucial in determining whether Britain’s sluggish rates of social mobility can be improved.”

The University of Southampton, a founder member of the Russell Group, said it was spending record sums on bursaries and “outreach work” to find poorer students.

During 2011-12, almost 9,000 young people from across Hampshire took part in Learn with US activities, designed to encourage university applications.

The following academic year, the university invested £1m in outreach work – working with more than 10,000 young people and 1,500 parents.

Three hundred awards, of £1,000 each, are made to students from low-income homes in Hampshire, through the Access to Southampton (A2S) programme.

Professor Alex Neill, pro vice-chancellor for education, said: “The University of Southampton offers one of the most generous student support packages in the country.

“Our access agreement is designed to provide the opportunity for talented students, regardless of their background, to fulfil their potential by studying at one of the world’s leading universities.”

The overall figures triggered a furious political row, with Mr Milburn attacking the performance of most of the Russell Group as “unacceptable”.

He repeated his call, first made last autumn, for more places to be offered to young people from struggling backgrounds - even if their A-level results are inferior.

There would be guaranteed interviews for bright pupils from poorer backgrounds, including anyone who successfully completed a preparation course, such as a summer school.

State school students - provided they gain a place - are more likely to achieve a top degree than someone with identical results from a fee-paying school, studies have shown.