THE University of York is among a group of elite institutions told to double the number of disadvantaged students they take each year.

Admissions watchdog, the Office for Fair Access, wants to see the number of poorer students reach 40,000 in the next five years and is urging universities in the Russell Group - of which York is one - to do more to broaden their intake.

According to a national newspaper some elite universities reacted angrily to the proposals, claiming they can "only do so much" if students do not meet the grades.

But a spokesman for York said: "The University of York is absolutely committed to inclusivity. We welcome highly qualified students whatever their background."

The highest number of students from poorer backgrounds went to university in 2011 when a record 22,000 attended. Yet middle-class youngsters are still seven times more likely to go to a top university than their poorer peers.

In a joint statement The Russell Group, which also includes Oxford and Cambridge, said: "Targets take no account of the fact, for example, that someone with four A*'s at A-Level might not have a strong chance of acceptance on a very competitive medical course unless the A-Levels are in the required subjects."