Universities around the country are offering free tuition for disadvantaged school children in a bid to boost diversity in higher education.

Many top institutions already drop their entry requirements for pupils from deprived backgrounds by making them offers up to three grades lower than the norm.

Despite this, not all students achieve their grades, meaning that places set aside for disadvantaged children often end up being re-allocated to their more affluent peers.

Now 35 higher education institutions, including Leeds, Birmingham, Worcester and Hertfordshire universities, are now using part of their widening participation budget to pay online tuition for GCSE and A level students.

It is the latest radical step that universities are taking try and increase their intake of students from deprived backgrounds, as vice-Chancellors come under increasing pressure from the Government to improve access.