The government's attempts to to help more students from poorer backgrounds into universities may increase the number of drop-outs, new research suggests.

A study of the University of North London and London Guildhall University, which merged in 2002, found that its higher drop-out rate was partly due to it admitting nearly three times as many students without traditional qualifications such as A Levels.

Meanwhile a Harley Street doctor is to set up Britain's first private medical school to meet the demand for more NHS staff.