A HAMPSHIRE university has been praised for supporting students from hard-up backgrounds into higher education.

Almost a third of undergraduates at Southampton Solent University come from families in the lowest income bracket – households earning less than £18,000 a year.

A report by the Office of Fair Access (OFFA), shows the uptake of financial support at the university is above the national average of 90 per cent.

Solent increased its spending on help for low-income students by 1.6 per cent in the last year, up to nearly a quarter of the money it receives from tuition fees.

That is compared to the 14 per cent spent on bursaries and scholarships by the University of Southampton, which has 1,095 students from poor households – 18 per cent of its total.

Solent’s vice-chancellor, Professor Van Gore believes the report’s findings are “extremely positive”.

“The OFFA report reflects our efforts to ensure that eligible students are made aware of the financial support available, and we will continue to provide the best quality advice, information and support for our students.”