Bright but poor teenagers living close to elite universities would have a place there guaranteed from the age of 15 under a new scheme.

Talented pupils from disadvantaged homes would benefit from the radical proposals drawn up by the Sutton Trust. The education charity is discussing the proposals with a handful of leading universities, including Exeter and Leeds. The pilot scheme is expected to begin in the next academic year.

It will identify clever children who live near prestigious universities but are unlikely to progress to higher education because they would struggle financially. They would have to achieve the minimum A-level grades for the course and agree to attend advice and support sessions. If these conditions were met they would be guaranteed a place. Evidence from similar schemes worldwide suggests that such students do at least as well academically as their classmates and prosper in life after graduation.

The Sutton Trust’s research shows that four out of five disadvantaged young people live in the vicinity of a highly selective university, such as Oxford, Leeds or Bristol, but only one in 25 of these children goes on to attend such a university. Leeds and Exeter, both research-intensive universities, are in talks with the Sutton Trust about adopting the scheme, which would assist the Government’s aims to widen university participation among working-class children.

Official figures released on Thursday showed record demand for higher education courses this year — a 10 per cent rise on last year. However, the Government has capped the number of additional available places, restricting them to an extra 10,000 only because of a lack of funding. An estimated 50,000 able applicants could miss out on places this year.

Those from disadvantaged families are most likely to be squeezed out, as fewer of them will achieve the necessary competitive grades.

While the Government says it is trying to get 50 per cent of young people into higher education and ensure that everyone is making the most of their talents in the recession, research has shown that 35,000 teenagers each year who obtain at least eight GCSEs at good grades do not progress to A levels or university.

The Sutton Trust project aims to tackle this problem. It has its origins in an American programme called the “Percent” scheme, which sends a percentage of students from poorer backgrounds to their local elite university. A spokesman for the trust said that, despite living on the doorstep of many of the country’s most academically selective universities, the least advantaged fifth of young people remain ten times less likely to attend a leading university than the most advantaged fifth of young people.

The scheme would identify a percentage of able students as young as 15 at disadvantaged schools in the vicinity of a good university. Such pupils could be given an alternative offer for a degree place by the university, slightly lower than the usual minimum-grade offer, or the opportunity to prove academic potential through an additional piece of work, or access to a university foundation year.

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the trust, said: “There is a need to try innovative approaches to widen access to highly selective universities. Despite some progress, the proportion of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds remains stubbornly low and seems to have stalled.

“There remain far too many bright youngsters in deprived areas whose potential is, at present, untapped. We must make sure our best universities attract the best students.”

• Students who choose to live at home while attending university received a boost this week when it emerged that ministers are planning to scrap tuition fees for those who waive their right to loans and grants.While this would save them almost £10,000 in the long run, it would mean forgoing up to £25,000 in state support over three years, which would not be viable for all.

Times recommends

• Undergraduates to get 'consumer rights'
• Schoolgirls think cosmetic surgery is normal
• Lying parents may face court over school places