Oxford University is targeting imams in a bid to boost applications from Britain’s ethnic minority communities.

The university is designing a new scheme aimed at increasing the number of Pakistani and Bangladeshi undergraduates, according to its Pro-Vice-Chancellor for education.

Prof Martin Williams, who oversees Oxford’s strategy work on admissions, said that plans are “under development” but will include launching a charm offensive to woo religious leaders.

He explained that the university wants to target the “key influencers” behind teenagers’ decisions which, as well as parents and school teachers, can include imams.

“We are particularly keen to focus on students of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage,” he told The Telegraph.

“We are working on a scheme that would reach out specifically to those communities. We are aware that different approaches work for different communities.

“We have long worked with teachers as influencers for all sorts of students. But for particular communities, we are aware that there are other key influences. I think in a lot of these communities the local imam can be very important in decision making and obviously parents.”