Students with A-level grades as low as three Es are being accepted into British universities to fulfil Government diversity targets, new data has revealed.

Figures from admissions body UCAS show many top universities are lowering the entry standards in a bid to fulfil equality, diversity and inclusion (DEI) targets.

The institution includes the University of East Anglia, Oxford Brookes and Kent University.

Government-sponsored Office for Students (OfS) regulator, which has the power to impose fines, has warned universities to be more "ambitious" in "reducing inequality".

The watchdog threatened that universities must narrow what they described as an "access gap" between students by this year.

Pupils across the UK are set to receive their A-level exam results on Thursday, although students who do not achieve their desired grades can apply for courses available in Clearing, a process which matches unplaced students with unfilled courses.

Oxford Brookes, which requires students to achieve grades of at least ABB to study economics, has accepted students with DDE grades, according to the data.

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Kent University has admitted CDD students onto its maths degree, while it officially asks for grades of ABB.

The University of East Anglia has admitted students with CCD onto its American studies course, officially requiring ABB.

And the University of South Wales welcomed those with D grades to their nursing course, which usually requires a BBB.

Institutions accept these lower grades if the students claim that they suffered a disadvantage, which can include race or gender.

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These contextual admissions are now being used by a quarter of all British universities, according to Sutton Trust research.

Bournemouth University admitted students with EEE grades onto its computer science course, which ordinarily demands BCC; however, they were admitted through an additional "foundation year", which has much lower entry requirements.

The number of UK universities offering foundation years rose by over double from 52 in 2011/12 to 105 in 2021/22, according to the latest Government figures.

Applicant numbers rose by over 700 per cent in the same period, soaring from 8,470 to 69,325.

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Officials claim foundation years are a "valuable pathway to higher education, particularly for students from under-represented backgrounds".

However, critics warn that course content could be too challenging for those not achieving the entry grades and risk UK university standards slipping.

One reason for lowering the entry requirements via foundation years is that it is financially beneficial for the institution to fill places on less popular courses.

The OfS said: "Our aim is that anyone with the ability and desire to pursue higher education can access the life-changing benefits it can bring.

"Individual admissions decisions are for each institution to make, and universities and colleges often change their offers - for example, after interviewing students.

"It's important that all students recruited onto high-quality courses are well supported while standards are rigorously maintained."

A Department for Education spokesman said: "While universities are independent from Government and responsible for their own admissions decisions, it is essential that quality is maintained and that the students they admit are likely to succeed.

"Students deserve high-quality teaching, fair admissions and a clear path to good jobs, whether through a degree or technical route.

"Apprenticeship starts, participation and achievements are all on the rise, helping more people gain the skills they need."

Bournemouth, South Wales, and East Anglia universities admitted to the Mail they use contextual admissions for disadvantaged students but said they maintain high academic standards.

GB News has approached all mentioned universities for a comment.